Marie Rita Conway passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023 at the age of 91. She was born in Medford, MA and remained a lifelong resident. Marie was one of ten children to the late Mark J. and Catherine M. (Ahearn) Bates and the beloved wife of the late Edward Conway. Marie is the devoted mother to Catherine Foti and her late husband Joseph, Edward Conway and his wife Nancy, Joseph Conway and his wife Betty, and Patrick Conway.
Her passions in life included cooking and baking, never missing the opportunity to make each family member a chocolate birthday cake, and was especially known for her coleslaw and potato salad. Marie loved celebrating her birthday, decorating her home for every holiday and enjoyed attending family celebrations, especially family trips to Willowbrook State Park in Ashby, MA. Throughout her life, Marie had a strong Catholic faith and a special devotion to the Blessed Mother that brought her great comfort.
Marie is the loving grandmother to nine grandchildren: Mark Conway, Kevin Conway, Katie Hasfjord, Joseph Foti, Rebekah Roulier, Timothy Conway, Heather Conway, Jessica Conway and Loren Rosenbaum, and the proud great-grandmother to twenty great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Tyler, and Makenzie Hasfjord, Rylee and Cayden Conway, Trey Conway, Teel, Arden, Rose, and Rowan Roulier, Lucas and Madison Conway, Piper Metzler, Joel, Emmie, Aria, and Ezra Rosenbaum, Dominic, Anthony and Aurora Zammuto.
Marie is the beloved sister of Jack Bates, Margaret Gray, Catherine Toomey, Jean Willett, and James Bates. She is sadly predeceased by her siblings Daniel Bates, Mark Bates, Robert Bates, Eileen Egan and her daughter-in-law Janet Conway. Marie is survived by many nieces and nephews including her niece Maureen Howe who served as one of her caregivers, allowing her to live in her home until the age of 91.
Marie’s funeral will be held from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Friday, August 25th at 10:30 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Francis Of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford, at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 24th from 4 through 8 PM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford.