NATICK: Mary Theresa (Bransfield) McDermott, age 90, died on August 2, 2012, in the comfort of her South Natick home after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife Joseph Patrick McDermott for 59 years.
Born on April 7, 1922 in Watertown, Mary was the daughter of Jeremiah and Julia (Hyde) Bransfield and the sister of Edward, Mildred, and Jean, all of whom predeceased her. She was a 1939 graduate of Notre Dame Academy and a member of the Emmanuel College graduating class of 1943.
Mary was employed with her family in operation of the Wellesley Inn until the Bransfields sold it in 1960. She began teaching at the Wellesley Cooperative Nursery School in 1966, and was appointed its director in 1974. Mary retired as director in 1994, at which time she was granted the title of Director Emeritus. She continued to teach at the school until earlier this year.
An active member of the Friends of the Bacon Free Library and Natick Historical Society, Mary was an avid reader and book club member. She enjoyed travel, particularly her trips to Alaska for the births of four of her grandchildren. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Having brought dignity, grace, and humor to this world, Mary leaves it a better place than when she entered it.
In addition to her husband, Mary is survived by seven children: John McDermott and his wife Lena Jessup of Holliston, Edward McDermott of Worcester, Mary Jean McDermott and her husband David Welch of Holliston, Joseph McDermott and his wife Suzanne of Hopedale, Daniel McDermott of Leominster, Gerald McDermott of Natick, and Elizabeth Maisey and her husband John of Holliston; and 12 grandchildren: Emily, Zachary, Patrick, Ryan, Conor, Katie, Joe, Maria, Rose, Mary, Julia, and Caroline.
Her funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street on Natick Common, Natick, on Monday at 9:00a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, at 10:00a.m. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. Visiting hours Sunday 2 – 5p.m.
Donations may be made in Mary’s memory to benefit the MGH Cancer Center’s Head and Neck Department. Your gift may be made online at www.massgeneral.org/give or by mail to the MGH Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.