Published May 1, 2020
MELROSE — Ann Marie (Mazza) Hartnett, 94, passed away on April 24, 2020. Ann was born in Gloucester, January 31, 1926, the child of parents who were both born in Italy. Ann grew up with lots of brothers and sisters, but learned to choose her own path in life, starting work processing fish, but quickly moving to jobs, like truck driver, normally closed to women. Being strong-willed, intelligent, and determined, Ann continued her education and was recruited by a newly formed computer data processing unit in the Andover IRS Center.
She assimilated all the training available in the early days of information technology and then went beyond to suggest processes and procedures that made processing millions of tax returns more effective and efficient. Ann received multiple awards, bonuses, and recognitions during her career, including a Presidential citation.
Ann loved helping people. She was a talented artist and seamstress; she made vestments for the church, helped run the weekly Bingo game, and loved singing and spending time with family and friends. Ann was very independent, but at the midpoint of her life, she happily married Joe Hartnett, an executive working for the Commonwealth. During their 30-year marriage, they travelled extensively, especially enjoying the shows and excitement of casinos from Vegas to Foxwoods, and visiting with her sister’s family in Virginia.
After Joe passed in 2002, Ann continued her routine of daily Mass and lunch visits to the best spots in Melrose. In 2018 Ann moved to an assisted living facility in Beverly where she lived until her recent illness. Ann passed away peacefully on April 24, 2020.
Ann is survived by her sister, Maggie Sullivan, who lives in Annapolis, Md., and her brother Joe Marzza, in San Diego, Calif.
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, a celebration of her life and requiem services have been postponed until such gatherings can be done safely.
The family asks that all who knew Ann celebrate her life individually, and express their appreciation for her spirit in the way they feel best. The family will announce future services and recognitions to her Melrose friends as widely as possible. To leave a message of condolence please visit gatelyfh.com.
