Mary A. Kershaw, 75, of Derry, NH died Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Parkland Medical Center, Derry following a brief illness. She was born on January 8, 1936 in Methuen, MA, a daughter of the late Stephen and Louise Donegan. She was a resident of Derry since 1979, formerly living in Salem, NH. As the matriarch of the Kershaw family, it was Mary’s dream to build a business for the family to run together. She saw this dream fulfilled when they began operating the Robert Frost Motor Inn, Kershaw’s Plaza and Pete’s Scoop, all in Derry. She loved spending time at the family’s home at Ossipee Lake. She also enjoyed cooking for her family and watching cooking shows.
She is survived by her husband, Samuel S. Kershaw of Derry, two sons, Scott Kershaw and his wife Julie of Fremont, Peter Kershaw of Derry, five grandchildren, Adam, Nicholas, Christopher, Kaycee, and Sean, one sister, Adele Raymond of Salem, NH, one brother, Daniel Donegan of Kingston, NH, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one son, Matthew Kershaw and one brother, Stephen Donegan.
Calling hours were held on Thursday, June 16, 2011 from 4 - 8PM at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday June 17th at 10:00am at St. Joseph’s Church, 40 Main Street, Salem. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery in Salem. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.