Williams – Of Marshfield, Nov 14. Mary E. (Duane). 90 years old, died in her home after an exciting, long and full life. She was the oldest living Graduate of the Woodward School for Girls in Quincy, MA. In 1948 she and her husband George moved to Marshfield and founded Mary’s Boat Livery on the North River. She took great enjoyment in her extensive world travels; however, “The River” was always her home. For many years Mary greeted the early morning fisherman with fresh bait and a wish of good luck. She was an avid swimmer from April through October and was, often seen swimming in the river with her dog. She also operated her own boat until last year. A fitness enthusiast, her day would begin by being the first at the gym, daily mass, coffee with her friends followed with a drive by each of her children’s homes were she would toot the horn making sure everyone was up for the day.
Daughter of the late John and Mary Duane of Quincy. Devoted wife of the late George A. Williams Jr. Dear Mother of Ann McKenney and her husband Dana of Tennessee, Katherine C. Moss and her husband Michael of Marshfield, George D. Williams and his wife Mary of Norwell, Jane P. Duffy and her husband Gerard of Marshfield, the late Mary Lou Williams and the late Richard Williams. Also survived by 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
Funeral from the MacDonald Funeral Home 1755 Ocean St (Rte 139) Marshfield, Friday at 9:00 A.M. followed by a Funeral Mass in St Christine’s Church, Marshfield at 10:00 A.M.
Visiting hours Thursday 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Interment will be in the Williams family lot in the Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree, MA.
Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to, Cranberry Hospice 36 cordage Park Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth, MA. 02360.
Mary will be missed by her many friends and family.
The following are words of remembrance by George Williams,
Thank you for being here to say goodbye and honor Mother, she would be well pleased to see so many of her family, friends, and friends of family around her.
She was tremendously proud of family; she was and had loyal, long lasting friendships.
She would be proud of her granddaughters and handsome grandsons escorting her up the aisle. Proud of her great grandchildren all looking so proper.
And, I’m sure, with so many of her favorite people gathered, she would have also asked if there is going to be a party after.
As a family, we have been immensely in awe of Mother. To us she was perfect in every way, but more important; she had that unique, one of a kind, ability to make us think we were perfect too. That in itself made us cling to her so dearly.
Mother made a big splash in life; and always did it early. She left us shortly after 5am, her favorite time of day. For 40 years she would be up and out to the gym at 5, swim her version of a mile, lift weights, go to mass, then breakfast with her friends and then be looking for some excitement of the day by 8am.
Today the ripples of that splash begin to fade but I hope not disappear.
She is the end of her generation. The last of the Duane family of 6 brothers and a sister. A family of strong, bold , spirited, sometimes rowdy personalities of substance. Growing up, I think she saw it all or at least heard it all. I think that is why she has such a special relationship with her sometimes rowdy grandchildren.
She embodied the best of that generation, a generation that grew strong and independent from the experiences most of us cannot imagine.
Her generation saw two World Wars, the transition from horse and carriage to automobiles, and a man of the moon. Out of the Great Depression, her generation experienced more social, medical and technology advances than in any time in history. That was the generation that pulled themselves up by the bootstraps without much help and made life successful.
From that, she became strong. She gave us the gift of her strength, her pride, her independence, and the highest of personal values. Those qualities are now in our very soul, and in genetics of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. We carry her within from here on. She is gone but still part of us.
Nana was always up and ready for excitement. She was comfortable in the middle of the action, she loved doing something different. She was a modern woman of great accomplishment in the body of a suburban housewife.
She was an entrepreneur, real estate owner, she ran her own business, and was successful at everything she did. Many of the people here today worked for and learned from Nana.
Mother traveled the world with Aunt Marie, collected fine antiques, but most important to her, she was a devoted wife to man of her dreams who’s light went out 35 years ago and we still miss terribly.
She was the world’s best mother, tremendous friend, and sensational grandmother. And she is not finished yet.
She waited until the Big Event before even thinking about leaving us.
She always wanted a grand celebration for her 90th birthday. Thanks to many of the people here, we celebrated that in a very big way. It was a tremendous, wonderful way to celebrate her life then, rather than talking today through tears and sorrow about how great a life she had. I everything was said, and said well on her 90th birthday, April 30.
She told me then and again recently:
To thank all her friends and relatives, all the Williams’s and Duane’s alike for being such wonderful people and for representing the family and the heritage of her family so well. She was a very, very proud, stoic person immensely proud of family, and proud of you.
She knew she was lucky to have such terrific daughters. Her daughters were her friends, confidants, caregivers, the people she had fun with and enjoyed so much. They are wonderful people. Even when they didn’t want to, they always let Nana get the last word
Their efforts allowed mother to really enjoy her later years and for all of us to enjoy mother as a person and not a patient. That gave great dignity to her to be able to have fun right up to the last day. We should all be so lucky to have daughters like my sisters.
People who deserve a hero’s mention are today’s living version of God’s genuine angels. Maria, Jilda, and Lela, and before them Dottie Kelly and others who were with Mother 24 hours/day.
Believe me, people who work at the side of the sick and dying are special, they are blessed, and they deserve the greatest respect and highest reward life has to offer.
Mother lived a beautiful life right at her River where she wanted to be right until the end. She never wanted to be anyplace else. It was her Magic Kingdom, and she made her home the Magic Kingdom for all who came to it. Especially for her grandchildren who would find an excuse to run away to Nana’s.
Today, what I’d like to say is to ask her grandchildren, and great grandchildren to not let the ripples in the water from her Big Splash in life to disappear and be forgotten.
Remember her in your heart and prayers. She is part of you, part of your personality, your being. Part of what you are, and who you are.
We are all made up from the genes inherited from those in your family before you, and Nana is part of that..
You can recognize Nana in you when you find you like being happy and don’t want to dwell on the sadness that comes into your life..
Nana is there when you smile for no reason, you are happy to see people, you laugh at silly things, and you really like being part of a good joke.
When you want the best for and are proud of your children, and their children and can see only the good in them. When you can overlook the bad and see only the bright side of life. Nana is there.
If your attracted to the water, the River, get excited about weather, nature, and think the bigger the storm the better that’s a gene from Nana showing through.
When you find yourself being determined, a little bit stubborn. When you don’t want to share every inner feelings and want to keep a few things private; that’s also Nana being there.
When you face hard times, need a lift, and you have to look for strength, character, goodness, and someone who believes in you: Nana will be there for you.
An Emerson quote about a successful life seems to have been written for Nana.
It goes like this:
“Successful and happy people live well, laugh often, and love much. They fill a niche and accomplish tasks so as to leave the world a better place than they found it, while looking for the best in others and giving the best they have.”
Nana was successful, in that way, and all of us have that in us because of her. She wanted to thank us, we have a greater need to thank her.
God Bless you and God Bless Nana.