Mary Elizabeth MacDonald

Mary Elizabeth (Thurston) MacDonald, age 79, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Brightview Concord River in Billerica, Massachusetts. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 16, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Walter F. and Alice G. (Sweeney) Thurston.

Mary was raised in Dorchester neighborhood of Boston and attended St. Mark's parochial school. As a young child Mary contracted Polio but, thanks to the support of her family, she learned how to walk again and was able to have a happy childhood. Mary graduated from Cardinal Cushing High School for Girls in South Boston with the class of 1964. She was always a caring and loving person, so it was only natural that she found a profession that valued these qualities. She enrolled in the nursing program at the Lemuel Shattuck School of Nursing, in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, and graduated with her associates degree with the class of 1969. After passing the rigorous licensure exams, Mary became a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked at the Charlwell House in Norwood for the majority of her career.

Mary met her future husband, Robert MacDonald, while attending nursing school, having been introduced by his sister who was also her classmate. The pair were wed on June 20, 1970, in St. Mark’s Church in Dorchester, and made their married home in East Walpole, Massachusetts. Mary and Robert would welcome three children over the years. She was a dutiful mother who supported her children’s interests and even introduced them to some of her own. Ice skating was a favorite winter activity that Mary looking forward to each year and she taught each of her children how to skate so they could enjoy time on the ice with her. A kind and considerate neighbor, Mary often sent the kids around to the neighbors with gifts of homemade cranberry bread. She enjoyed doing anonymous acts of goodwill, taking care of those in need and making others smile.

In her free time, Mary liked to play games, watch movies, and listen to Irish music. She liked swimming, dancing, and of course ice skating, and was an avid walker. Nights out at the theatre or the symphony to see the Boston Pops were always something that Mary looked forward to. Her faith was also a prominent part of her life, with Mary praying to the Virgin Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus and regularly attending Mass at Saint Mary's Church in East Walpole. Mary liked to relax by tending to her beautiful flower garden and reading books.

Beloved wife of the late Robert Stephen MacDonald.

Loving mother of Laura M. Slosman of Tewksbury, Elise A. MacDonald of Woburn, and Gregory A. MacDonald of Andover, Maine.

Cherished sister of Pauline Thurston of Weymouth, Virginia Tashijian of Watertown, Barbara Johnson of Weymouth, Edward Thurston of Lano, Texas, Gerard Thurston of Bridgewater, Kevin Thurston of Danvers, the late Kathleen Thurston, the late Walter Thurston, and the late Theresa Thurston.

Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Mary's Life Celebration on Thursday, February 5th, 2026, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated on Friday, February 6, 2026, in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole, at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mary's name may be made to Saint Malachy Church (part of the St. Veronica Parish) at 99 Bedford Street, Burlington, MA 01803 or by visiting https://osvhub.com/saintveronicaparish/giving/funds