Mary M. McNamara

October 11, 1939 — February 16, 2021

Mary M. McNamara, age 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at her home in Taunton, Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on October 11, 1939, she was the daughter of the late William J. and Gertrude C. (Sheehan) Maloney. She was raised in Sharon, Massachusetts, where as a young girl, she met a young boy by the name of Joseph H. McNamara. Mary and Joe stayed in touch as he moved in and out of Sharon growing up, later dedicating themselves to each other, beginning their beautiful love story. Following Mary's graduation from Sharon High School in 1958, Joe returned from his active military duty to take her hand in marriage on November 29 in Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.

Mary quickly adapted to life in the military, following Joe wherever he was stationed, including for two and a half years in Germany, taking on the role of a homemaker and making friends along the way. They welcomed their first child while living in Germany and, after returning home to the United States, Mary and Joe welcomed seven more children, raising them in their home on Common Street in Walpole, Massachusetts.

As her family grew up, Mary took a position as a home health aide, caring for many members in her community. She later began her career with Ober Trucking, obtaining her CDL, picking up bulk mail in Boston and delivering it to various Post Offices. Mary's love for driving and helping others led her to a position at Kiessling Transit, driving students with special needs. However, her favorite job and the one she is most known for is her position at New Pond Village, where she was the bus driver for twenty-six years. Her career at New Pond did not start out on the bus, but rather in a car, driving seniors to appointments. After the community purchased a bus, Mary was eager to take her seniors out for any reason at all. She regularly brought them for day trips to casinos in Rhode Island and Connecticut, shopping trips, and rides around the area to take in the scenery. Her seniors looked forward to seeing Mary, who quickly became their go to person in the community, and always included her in anything that was going on. After settling in Cumberland, Rhode Island, Mary continued to make the drive to Walpole, to ensure her seniors traveled anywhere they needed to go.

Mary's love for the road did not begin with driving cars or trucks, as a young woman, she obtained her motorcycle license and loved riding around on her various bikes over the years. She also loved keeping a busy social calendar, playing bocce at the Italian American Club in Walpole, bowling at Petracca's Lanes and Hi Way Bowl Way in Walpole, and gathering with friends every Tuesday night for a game of cards. In addition, Mary was truly dedicated to her church, Blessed Sacrament Parish, in Walpole, spending countless hours volunteering with the Legion of Mary and singing in the choir.

Most of all, Mary loved being surrounded by her family. She and Joe shared 62 years of marriage and remained dedicated to one another through all of those years. While she never talked about her own accomplishments, she regularly boasted about her eight children and the achievements in their lives. Her boasting continued with her grandchildren, as she was always so proud of all their accomplishments.

Beloved wife of Joseph H. McNamara.

Loving mother of Mary M. Wohler and her husband, David, of Raynham, Joseph H. McNamara Jr. of Narragansett, RI, Patricia A. Mullaney of Lempster, New Hampshire, Janice M. Kluge of Bridgewater, Jean E. Coppenrath of Marshfield, Christopher J. McNamara and his wife, Nicola, of Foxborough, Rachael C. Caffrey and her late husband, Brian, of North Attleboro, and Jennifer E. McNamara of Whitman.

Cherished grandmother of Amy, David, Derek, Joseph III, Danielle, Kimberly, Brandon, Catherine, Allison, Katherine, Matthew, Keri, Nicole, Ethan, Sarah, Emily, Chelsea, Ashleigh, Christopher, Connor, Justin, Sean, and Shealyn; and great grandmother of seventeen.

Sister of Diane E. LaCivita of East Walpole, Eugene “Skip” Maloney of New York, Mary A. Foley of Salem, New Hampshire, the late Maureen A. Wells, the late Daniel Maloney, the late Kathleen Crosby, the late Patricia J. Maloney, the late Therese M. Ward, and the late William J. Maloney Jr.

Sister-in-law of Theresa Maloney of Brockton.

As a result of the ongoing and ever developing health crisis in the world, Mary’s Funeral Mass and interment in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole will be held privately. Those wishing to view Mary's Funeral Mass may do so at https://youtu.be/ZPQ5a4rJmtA on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Loves Company P.O. Box 931, Pennington NJ 08534 or at https://www.hopelovescompany.org/

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.

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Mary M. McNamara

October 11, 1939 — February 16, 2021

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