MaryAnn (Gratta) Callahan of Hanson, MA, died peacefully Sunday, March 4, 2012, in the presence of her loving husband. She would have turned 78 years old on March 15th.
MaryAnn was the daughter of the late Maria Catherine (Aeillo) and Pasquale Gratta of Hingham. She is survived by her husband, Edmund J. Callahan, and sons Raymond J., Michael J. and Edmund J. Callahan, of Hanson; her daughter-in-law Deborah Merino and grandson Matthew Callahan of Raynham and her daughter Corinne J. Young, son-in-law Barry D. and granddaughters Arden D. and Alia G. Young of Duxbury. She was the mother of beloved son, the late Patrick J. Callahan of Raynham.
She was born and raised in Hingham. Met her husband and soul mate at Hingham High School, where she was voted as a member of the Home Coming Court, and graduated in 1952. MaryAnn and Edmund married in 1956.
As a nurturer, she embarked on a career as a Registered Nurse after graduating from Massachusetts General Hospital Nursing Program in 1955. For a few blissful years she joined Edmund stationed in the Pacific Northwest as he served the country and completed Army training. Afterward they settled in Hanson, during which she excelled as a caretaker, mended many broken bones and hearts throughout her career, including at the Old Colony Nursing Home in Abington until her retirement.
Above all, she relished living simply and well, surrounded by her family, her gardens, and aspirational Red Sox tokens, proudly living to see her team win the World Series!
MaryAnn was humble, instilling in her family the virtues of respect for diversity and tolerance, and courage to flaunt conventional wisdom to follow one’s own path in life without trepidation. While she most often led with quiet grace, she was well loved for her feisty nature (and sometimes mischievous and non-conformist streak as well). Through her joy of life, she enjoyed many family adventures, and treasured trips with her husband (to Aruba, New Orleans, Las Vegas and Italy).
She was admired among friends and loved ones for her endearing nature and unique touch for making everyone – and every occasion – feel special, and handling life’s challenges with aplomb and empathy.
As the youngest child of Italian immigrants, she was a cherished cook and baker, often winning contests for pies, cakes and traditional Italian fare. She also was an accomplished seamstress and dressmaker. As a child, she enjoyed painting and music; turning later in life to gardening, puzzles, and cuddles with family Labrador Ebony.
Her beauty, wit, and loving nature live on.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 9th at 10:00AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street, Rte. 58 at the Rotary, Whitman, followed by A Celebration Mass at 11am in the St Joseph the Worker Church, 1 Maquan Street, Rte 14, Hanson, MA. Burial will follow immediately thereafter, at Fern Hill Cemetery, High Street Hanson.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 8th from 4:00-8:00PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name, to the American Cancer Society, 5 Manley St., West Bridgewater, MA 02379.