Published in the September 21, 2018 edition
PEABODY — Mary C. Vesprini, 88, beloved wife and mother, passed away quietly on September 13, 2018 at Brooksby Village in Peabody after a long period of declining health.
Born on April 17, 1930 in Revere, Mary was the only child of Cornelius and Cecelia (Hurley) Ahearn.
On her mother’s side, Mary hailed from the colorful Hurley Family, proprietors of many popular amusement attractions in the heyday of Revere Beach. She grew up riding on the flying horses of the Hurley’s Hurdlers Carousel, the Tilt –a-Whirl, and the death-defying Cyclone, the first roller coaster ever to reach 100 feet.
After the untimely death of Mary’s father, in 1941, Mary’s mother joined her siblings on “the Beach” and opened up her own stand, Mary Ahearn’s Frozen Custard, where Mary scooped up ice cream and stole the hearts of the young boys on the Boardwalk, many just back from the war, who waited in line just to see her smile.
Mary graduated with high honors from Immaculate Conception High School in 1948, and went on to Salem State Teachers College. In 1952, she achieved her girlhood dream of becoming a teacher when she was awarded a bachelor of science in Education. She taught at the Abraham Lincoln School in Revere where she shared her love of reading with her kindergarten and first grade pupils.
Mary loved to dance and spent many Saturday nights at the Wonderland Ballroom. It wasn’t too long before she met the handsome young veteran from Everett, known to all as “Mandy,” aka Armando Vesprini who became her favorite partner.
Mary and Mandy were married on November 20, 1954. Their honeymoon in Florida was almost a no-go when Mary flatly refused to make the trip in Mandy’s wreck of a vehicle. He happily purchased a 1955 Oldsmobile 88 Holiday Coupe and the rest is history.
Mary was a devoted wife and mother who shared her style, enthusiasm, and love with family and friends alike. This included “Lokpa,” her faithful Lhasa Apso pup for the better part of 20 years. She was an avid tennis player, bowler, and golfer and was a member of the Bellevue Golf Club in Melrose and the Salem Country Club in Peabody. She and Mandy enjoyed traveling to the Caribbean and Europe and in 1995 purchased a condo in Juno Beach, Florida where she would spend the winter months practicing her swing in Hobe Sound.
Family was everything to Mary. In her later years, she absolutely adored her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ellen Vesprini of Newburyport, her son Michael and his wife, Alicia (Danti) of Topsfield, her grandchildren, Marcus and Michelina, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Wednesday September 19. Final viewing at the funeral home was on Thursday morning September 20, followed by funeral Mass at Incarnation Church, 425 Upham St. Melrose. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to Catholic Charities, 275 West Broadway, Boston, MA 02127 or @ www.ccab.org. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com
