Mary J. (Cozza) McLaughlin, 76, of Tewksbury, Ma. passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife to Daniel E. McLaughlin, with whom she shared fifty seven years of marriage.
Mary was born in Boston July 7, 1946 to the late Anthony S. and the late Mary C. (Haverty) Cozza. Following her father’s death at the age of 8, Mary moved to Billerica and made lifelong friends before moving to Tewksbury Ma. to attend high school. Graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School with the class of 1964, Mary made additional, lifelong friends. She was very proud of being the volleyball captain in her senior year.
Mary met her sweetheart and soulmate, Dan McLaughlin, while in high school and the two created a loving faith-filled home and family in Tewksbury. She was a faithful communicant of St. William’s Church and a devout Catholic. Her faith got her through many trials and her prayers for her loved ones were never ending.
Mary was always a leader and orchestrator of fun and memories, from her childhood friends and cousins, to her countless nieces and nephews, to her 4 children and their friends and for each beloved grandchild. Mary always added the extra fun…organized games and relays, plays, dance routines and skits for family Christmas parties, air horns and homemade pom-poms at band competitions, art shows and pirate days for the grandkids. Even in the small moments, Mary made each person in her clan feel special.
In addition to her devotion to God and her family, Mary loved the arts. She dabbled in painting, sketching, crocheting, and sewing. She loved music and plays. She had great memories with her sister Katherine in the Wilmington Spot lighters Community theater. Mary authored a book entitled, “Before I forget”, where she passed on some of her wonderful story telling about the “old days” and some life advice that she was constantly imparting to her children and grandchildren. In her later years, Mary enjoyed creating art with her grandchildren and being a listening ear to all who came to her for guidance. She will be missed by many and her impact upon us all is vast.
In addition to her loving husband, Daniel, she is survived by her children,
Steven McLaughlin and his wife, Carolyn of Brookline, NH, James McLaughlin of Tewksbury, Patricia Benner and her husband, Neil of Amherst, NH, and Mike McLaughlin and his wife, Coleen of Chelmsford; her six grandchildren, Evan, Megan, Jack, Lizzie, Bridget and Sean; her sister, Dora Null of Taunton; her sister and brother-in law, Cathy and Joseph Paquette of Tyngsboro, as well as, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Katherine Coakley.
All are welcome to attend, Sunday, July 17, 2022 at the Tewksbury Funeral Home 1 Dewey Street Tewksbury, Ma. 01876. Calling hours will be 2-5 p.m.
On Monday, July 18, 2022, Mary’s funeral will begin at the Tewksbury funeral home, 9 a.m. followed by her funeral mass at 10 am, St. William’s Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury, burial following at the Tewksbury Cemetery. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to: Boston Children’s Hospital: https://www.childrenshospital.org/donate or by mail to: 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215.
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