Published in the November 27, 2015 edition

Maiella-obit-webMELROSE – Mary F. (Pasqua) Maiella, 79, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Nov. 17.

Mary was born in Boston and was one of three children of the late Michael F. and Mary “Irene” (Drafies) Pasqua. Growing up in the West End of Boston, Mary attended St. Joseph School and graduated from Archbishop Cushing Central High School in South Boston. The daughter of a Back Bay upholsterer, Mary was part of a large Italian family with three generations raised in one Brownstone in Boston. Instilled from a young age was the value of a strong, tight knight and loving family.

After a chance meeting at the Campion Club in Boston, she married her devoted partner and best friend, Robert H. Maiella on Sept. 29, 1962 and they moved to Melrose to raise four children. Mary stayed at home while her children were young and later returned to work as a secretary for the Tax Department of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mary was a parishioner of Most Blessed Sacrament Church for many years. She was most happy to be surrounded by her family in her home, a home that she cherished. She enjoyed Sunday family dinners; deck gardening in her flower pots; nurturing her indoor plants; her cats and, later in life, watching the birds through the window. She loved celebrating the holidays and always had everyone back to the house after they had grown. As 51-year residents of Melrose, Mary and Bob had a special long-time connection with their neighbors who became friends over the years.

Mary was a sociable woman who liked being around people, especially her dear family. She looked forward to many shopping trips to the Square One Mall with Bob to get coffee and find something new with a sparkle. She and Bob also enjoyed regular trips close to home like Foxwoods, Atlantic City or further away bus trips around the country. She and Bob shared a love for Italy and they visited twice, seeing much of the country and even returning to the town where Bob was born.

In her free time, Mary enjoyed knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and sewing – a skill she learned from her mother. She loved puzzles; shopping on QV, hazelnut coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts; playing scratch tickets and her daily numbers. Most of all, Mary was a family-oriented woman whose first priority was her husband and children, who she always wanted the best for. She will be missed but lovingly remembered always.

Mary was the beloved wife of Robert H. Maiella, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Carol Batten of Merrimack, N.H., Jean M. Pineau and her husband Timothy of Woburn, Diane Mace and her husband Paul of Billerica and the late Robert H. Maiella Jr. She was the caring sister of Rita MacNeil and her late husband William of Scituate; and Michael Pasqua and his wife Evelyn of California. She was the loving grandmother Michael Batten, Daniel Batten, Nicholas Pineau, Dillon Pineau, Christina Leon, Joseph Maiella, David Mace, Amanda Mace and Ashley Mace. She was the loving great-grandmother of Sophia and Brianna. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Mary’s life at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Friday, Nov. 20 and again on Saturday, Nov. 21 before leaving in procession to Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1159 Main St., Wakefield, where her funeral Mass was celebrated. Interment in Holy Cross Mausoleum, Malden. Gifts in Mary’s memory may be made to John L. Niles MD, Vasculitis Research, 101 Merrimac St., 1st Fl., Boston MA 02114. For directions, online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.