Midwife, nurse who dedicated her life
Published in the February 24, 2016 edition
LYNNFIELD — It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary T. (Mannion) Vail, 79, of Lynnfield. Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Four Roads, County Roscommon Ireland, Mary leaves behind a large caring family and community in her home country as well as many friends and family in America. She was the daughter of the late Martin and Delia (Lennon) Mannion.
Mary worked as a midwife in Dublin and London before moving to Boston in 1968 to work at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She was a longtime resident in Lynnfield and worked at many nursing facilities on the North Shore, including the Sisters of Notre Dame, and for the last 10 years she was employed at the Daniels House in Reading. Mary spent her life caring for others. Nursing wasn’t a job – caring for people was her way of life.
Mary loved life and knew how to live it. She never missed an opportunity to have fun and enjoy the company of others. Mary was a vibrant, engaging, caring woman who made the most of every moment, every encounter and every event. She loved her family and friends dearly and would always put them first. She generously gave her time and support when it was needed. She adored her daughters and cherished her grandchildren. Whatever was going on in their lives – she was there.
She was the beloved wife of Chesley (Chet) Vail. She was the loving mother of Fiona Mulcahy and her husband Ed of Bradford and Karena Brenda Donnelly and her husband Marc of North Andover. She was the sister of P.J. Mannion, Kathleen Kelly and the late Martin Mannion, all of Ireland, and Thomas Mannion and the late Bridie Willis of England. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Bryan, Sean, Colin, Brendan, Keira and Kyle.
Her funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrated at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 40 Grove St., Lynnfield at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody.
Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
