Mary K. (Busalacchi) Gaffney, age 68 of West Newbury, passed away at her residence on Thursday morning, September 18, 2008.
Mary was born in Boston, on August 15, 1940, the daughter of the late Francesco A. and Margaret M. (Proctor) Busalacchi. She lived for many years in Groveland and more recently resided in West Newbury.
Mary was a master teacher of English at Pentucket Regional High School, West Newbury, for over forty years. She held two master degrees, one in English Education and another in Drug and Alcohol Counseling.
Aside from these professional roles, she wore many hats during her long career. She was known as the unofficial social director and cultural guru for the high school. Not only did she produce and direct the annual plays and musicals, but she also brought in professional entertainers as class speakers. Mary lived and loved her profession. She invested her time as a class advisor, sports enthusiast, timekeeper, ticket taker, dance chaperone, and special events organizer.
As sole supporter of her family, Mary supplemented her income by choosing a second job, which allowed her to give even more to others. She served as an individual and group counselor at Baldpate Hospital in Georgetown and later at Turning Point Inc. in Newburyport, MA. She also served as Moderator for the town of Groveland for several years.
As a young woman she showed many signs of her future leadership ability. Mary was president of every club and a star in all sports at Matignon High School, Cambridge. This was a school which produced many professional football players, yet there wasn't one among those athletes who could kick a football farther than Mary. As an adult she developed into an avid golfer and tennis player. Later in life when she was confined to a wheelchair due to complications from diabetes, Mary often said that the greatest gift her father had given her was a passionate love of sports. She was the #1 fan of all Boston teams. While she was housebound, no team went unwatched or un-cheered.
After her parents both died from cancer, she took an active role in fundraising for the American Cancer Society. She chaired an annual golf tournament to raise money and also raised money for the Pentucket Scholarship fund.
Mary jumped from airplanes and organized student trips to exotic locations. Although she was physically limited in later years, no restriction could snuff Mary's indomitable spirit. One of her life's dreams was to fly in a hot air balloon or a helicopter. She did both.
Mary's life was one of giving. She embraced everyone as a friend. As one of those friends observed, her life was like a ride in an automobile where the windshield was so wide and the rear view mirror was small. Her life exemplified the spirit of giving and compassion.
She leaves behind her beloved family members, including her children, Mark F. Gaffney and his wife Ellen S. of Deerfield, IL, Brenda M. Dresser and her husband John P. Jr., of West Newbury, and Maura A. Callahan and her husband Joseph of Groveland; six grandchildren, John-Pearson, Emily, and Zachary Dresser, Joseph Callahan, and Jack and Sam Gaffney. She also leaves two brothers, Frank Busalacchi and his wife Janice of Billerica, and Jack Busalacchi and his wife Terry of Stoneham; and one sister, Catherine Reinheimer of Bristol, NH.
Funeral services will be held Monday morning, September 22, 2008 in the C. Frank Linnehan and Son Bradford Funeral Home, 52 Salem Street, Bradford, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. John the Baptist Church, 114 Lincoln Avenue, Haverhill, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
Calling hours will be held Sunday, September 21, in the C. Frank Linnehan and Son Bradford Funeral Home, 52 Salem Street, Bradford, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Relatives and friends kindly invited.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701; the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312; or to the Pentucket Regional Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 36, Groveland, MA 01834.