DUDLEY – Mary H. Lonergan, 93, died on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Christopher House, Worcester, after a period of declining health.
She leaves a sister, Ann N. Stochaj of Dudley; a brother, Gary W. Lonergan and his wife, Carole L. Lonergan, of Alexandria, VA; godsons, James J. Stochaj and Kevin M. Lonergan; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings: L. James Lonergan, Rev. Richard V. Lonergan, Joyce S. Brezniak, V. June Butcher, Lee Ellen Olmstead and Paul J. Lonergan.
Mary was born on May 30, 1931 at the family home, 56 Lake Street in Webster, as the Memorial Day parade passed by and the band played “Yankee Doodle.” Her parents were Leo V. Lonergan and Helen E. (Smykowski) Lonergan.
Mary was a 1948 graduate of Bartlett High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Salem State College and her Masters in Education from Worcester State College.
Ms. Lonergan began her career in education as a business teacher, where she taught typing, shorthand, bookkeeping and accounting in Woodstock, VT, and then at Bartlett High School and Framingham High School. She was very proud that many of her students later became CPAs. In addition, Mary taught typing at the Massachusetts State Police Academy.
She was a communicant and active member of Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Dudley, and a past President of the Webster-Dudley Teachers Association, past Treasurer of the Saint Louis League of Catholic Women, past President of the Serra Club of Southern Worcester County, and a member of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Society.
Her funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 24 Dudley Hill Road, Dudley. The burial will be held privately. A calling period will take place, before Mass, in the church hall from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster. Donations in her memory may be made to the Black Tavern Historical Society, PO Box 143, Dudley, MA 01571. Mass will be livestreamed at stanthony-dudley.org