Mary Jean (Ogden) Sakellarios, 59, of Andover, MA, passed away peacefully on September 18, surrounded by her family. She was a best friend and wife to her husband Andy Sakellarios for 31 years, and together they built a life full of love. Mary’s bright spirit lives on through her children: Carly and her husband Timothy Yaghmoorian, Maggie, Lindsay, and Luke and his wife Lexi Hackett. Mary was the devoted sister of Deborah and her husband Phillip Henault, and Richard and his wife Anne Ogden. Mary was the daughter of Richard and the late Carol Ogden of Reading, MA. She was also a proud and playful aunt to her many nieces and nephews.
She found deep joy in life’s simple pleasures. She was a passionate Red Sox fan and a lifelong lover of books. In recent years, she brought her dream of being a librarian to life by opening a Little Free Library, lovingly built by her husband. It quickly became a cherished neighborhood landmark where families stopped to browse books, dogs happily paused for a milkbone, and kids marveled at the fairy garden tucked beside it. She was a strong advocate and supporter of shopping local, especially bookstores. She loved to crochet, and made baby blankets to donate or to gift to new babies in her life. Whether walking with friends and the family dog Zoe, reading on the dock in Maine, enjoying a peaceful boat ride on Boston Harbor, or watering her indoor and outdoor plants, nature had a special place in her heart. Mary nurtured everything around her whether it was family, community, or her flowers.
Mary lived a life of service, always offering her time and heart where it was needed. She volunteered generously including her time with Friends of the Library at Memorial Hall Library, helping at Sanborn Elementary School, teaching religious education and donating to Helping Hands at St. Augustine’s Church, feeding those in need at Bread and Roses in Lawrence, and delivering food with her nephew Spenser for Meals on Wheels. Mary gave without seeking praise, only the hope that someone’s day might be a little lighter.
Mary’s greatest joy was being a mom, and she fully embraced the beautiful chaos of raising four children. Her happiest days were filled with sidewalk chalk, barefoot adventures, swings and slides, crafts on the kitchen table, and endless games of playing pretend. Her favorite activity of all was reading to her children from one of the hundreds of books that fill the bookshelves throughout the house. It’s no surprise to those who knew her that her kids turned out to be independent, thoughtful, and kind adults who will continue to share Mary’s memory. Mary considered herself lucky to be a mom, but in truth, it was her family who was lucky to have her.
In honoring Mary's wishes, there will be no calling hours. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Augustine’s Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 5:30 PM, where friends and family can gather to honor the kindness and warmth she brought into our lives. Interment will be privately held.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to littlefreelibrary.org or to Bread and Roses in Lawrence, MA. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home of Andover. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.