Mary A. Blakesley January 24, 1952 – May 03, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Mary A. (McDonough) Blakesley, 67, of Agawam and East Dennis passed away peacefully on May 3 at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by her large and loving family. Mary was born on January 24, 1952 in Worcester, MA, the beloved daughter of Edward J. and Catherine A. (Callahan) McDonough. She was a 1970 graduate of Cathedral High School and a proud member of the final graduating class from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1973.
Mary was an instinctively talented nurse who was equally comfortable in all settings. She began her nursing career in the highly pressurized environment of the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room and later brought her talents to the East Longmeadow Medical Care Center. Prior to her retirement, Mary found her new nursing passion working as a school nurse at Robinson Park and Benjamin Phelps Schools where she enjoyed the friendship and support of the teachers and staff and the daily contact with children and families.
Family and friends were the centerpiece of Mary’s life. She relished her role as the “matriarch” of the large and boisterous McDonough/Blakesley clan. She enthusiastically hosted the annual 4th of July Blakesley “Bash by the Bay” at her dearly loved summer home on Sesuit Neck in East Dennis.
For 45 years she proudly presided over every family holiday event and her Christmas Eve gatherings were always the highlight of the holiday season. Mary was a voracious reader, often consuming as many as 6 books a week, most of which she characterized as “trashy novels”. She enjoyed over 30 years of summers on Cape Cod, and more recently, winters in Naples, Florida, where she made a number of new friends.
Mary will be sadly missed by her husband of 46 years, Attorney Donald W. Blakesley who was her best friend, confidant and occasional, but happily compliant, punching bag. They were married on July 14, 1973 at Holy Cross Church in Springfield. She is also survived by her beloved children, Attorney Daniel E. Blakesley and his wife Kristen of Longmeadow and Brian P. Blakesley and his wife Samantha of Wilbraham as well as her adored grandchildren, Harry and Penny Blakesley.
Mary was predeceased by her parents Edward and Catherine McDonough and her brother William S. McDonough. She also leaves her sister and best friend Joan F. McDonough and her husband Richard Lowe of Longmeadow, her sister Barbara H. Lynch of Springfield, and her brothers Hon. Edward J. McDonough, Jr. and his wife Melissa of Longmeadow, Daniel P. McDonough and his wife Lynne of Longmeadow, James M. McDonough and his wife Sheryl of Wethersfield, Ct, Paul A. McDonough of Agawam and his partner Linda Giaquinto, John G. McDonough and his wife Renee of Springfield, David P. McDonough and his wife Gretchen of Charlotte, North Carolina, her mother-in-law Katherine Blakesley of Agawam, her brother-in-law Thomas Blakesley and his wife Elena of West Springfield, sister-in-law Colleen (Blakesley) Marcus and her husband James of West Springfield and her sister-in-law Mary Ellen Blakesley of Indialantic, Florida as well as innumerable and loved nieces and nephews.
She enjoyed her many McDonough and Callahan, cousins and had a special bond with her contemporary cousins, Kathy Hinderhofer, Kathy Rafter and Anne Black. Mary loved life and for the last ten years she endured excruciating pain and physical challenges with tremendous strength. Her courage was an inspiration to all who knew her.
Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church, 221 Plumtree Road, Springfield on Wednesday, May 8 at 10:00 AM followed by burial in Springfield Street Cemetery in Feeding Hills. Calling hours will be held at the Agawam Curran-Jones Funeral Home, 745 Cooper Street in Agawam from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 7. For those who prefer, Mary’s family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to The Jimmy Fund, P. O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
For more information please go to curranjones.com.
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