Mary Margaret Dyer of Watertown, passed away on June 15, 2011. She was 79 years old.
Mary has been a kind and loving sister. Her family and friends number in the hundreds around the world. Being the oldest of 29 Cardoos grandchildren and one of nine Dyer grandchildren, she relished her role as family historian, genealogist, and “Auntie” to scores of their offspring. As a former Kindergarten teacher at the Kendall School in Belmont for more than twenty-five years, Mary touched the lives of over a thousand students, some of whom she has kept in contact with and visited their children and even grandchildren. Mary traveled extensively around the country and abroad to Europe, Africa, and Asia, oftentimes finding a friend or former student by surprise.
At Watertown High School, Class of 1949, Mary sang in the Glee Club and Chorus, and also played on the Field Hockey, Basketball, and Tennis teams. As a graduate of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Mary thrived on all things cultural. She loved classical music, was a season ticket holder to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was awarded a summer scholarship to Tanglewood, and she played oboe, recorder, and piano. She appreciated the fine arts and enjoyed giving tours of Boston architecture and area museums and volunteered for several years at the information kiosk in Harvard Square, in her native Cambridge. She practiced fabric and paper crafts, exhibited her work in area shows, and was a collector of stamps, books, and autographs. She was a member of the Pequossette Quilt Guild, Quilters Connection, Watertown Art Association, Watertown Women’s Club, and The Stamp Club located at the Cardinal Cushing Stamp Museum. She was a supporter of Public Radio and TV, nd many other charities.
Mary believed that government exists to serve its people, provide for the general welfare, and to protect equal rights for all. Mary lived by this philosophy. She loved people and communicating with them, preferably face to face, but often by phoning or letter writing. She also enjoyed board games and card games. Her friends were from all walks of life and from all around the globe. She sent out hundreds of Christmas cards annually, including her newsletter recapping the highlights of her year. She loved to share her friends and make new ones.
Mary will be sadly missed by so many.
Mary was the loving daughter of the late Charles and Margaret (Cardoos) Dyer. Dear sister of John Dyer and his wife Patricia of Wayland and Charlotte Tragakis and her husband COL(R) Christopher J. Tragakis of VA. Dear Aunt of Barbara Conner, Charles and Andrew Dyer, and James and Charles “Chad” Tragakis. She is also survived by 10 grand nieces and nephews and many loving cousins.
Mary's Funeral Service was held in the Church of St. John of Damascus, 300 West St. Dedham on June 20, 2011. Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to the Church.
Interment Fairview Cemetery in Hyde Park.