Published October 30, 2020
NEWBURYPORT — Mary Bolger (Hagerty) Ford died on Oct., 20 after a period of declining health.
Mary was born Nov. 19, 1930, in Lynn, the daughter of the late Francis J. and Mary (Bolger) Hagerty. She grew up in Melrose, graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1948.
Mary attended Massachusetts General Hospital’s School of Nursing, graduating as an RN in 1951, earned her Bachelor in Science in Nursing from Salem State College in 1981 and her Master’s in Science as a Nurse Practitioner in 1983. As an RN, she worked for several Massachusetts and Florida hospitals, including Hunt Hospital in Danvers. As a nurse practitioner, she worked for the Veterans Affairs Clinic on Causeway Street in Boston.
Mary moved to Venice, Fla., after retirement, serving as a parish nurse for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and was a chapter president of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). While retired, she traveled throughout the world, learned to water-color, and collected seashells, beach glass and shark’s teeth on Nokomis Beach.
Mary and her husband, Fred, raised their children in Melrose prior to moving to Florida, and then settled in Ipswich, where all her children attended Ipswich High School. After retiring to Florida, Mary returned to Ipswich in 2008, residing at Cable Gardens until her health declined. She loved being part of the Ipswich community, teaching religious education classes at St. Joe’s in her younger years, walking on Crane’s Beach, eating supper at the Dinnerbell at the Masonic Lodge, and taking Communion daily at Our Lady of Hope or Notre Dame.
Mary’s life was centered on three tenets: her unwavering Catholic faith, her love of family and friends, and her belief that everyone’s life has meaning. In this vein, Mary touched the people she came in contact with her compassion and kindness.
Mary is survived by her children, Frederick J. Ford of Haverhill, Susan Williams of Rollinsford, N.H., William Ford of Venice, Fla., Andrew Ford and wife Carol of Stoneham, and John Ford of Beverly; grandchildren William Ford, Elizabeth Williams, Marybeth Ford, Christopher Ford, Nicholas Ford, Kristina McIntosh and Mike Brown; two great-grandchildren; her sister Susan Brady of Florida, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her former husband, Frederick J. Ford Jr.; her significant other, Ralph Alfaro; her brother, Frank J Hagerty Jr.; and many dear friends.
Mary’s family would like to thank the staff at Brigham Health and Rehabilitation Center in Newburyport and Compassionate Care Hospice for providing laughter, comfort and care in her declining years.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Brigham Health and Rehabilitation Center’s activities program (Attention: Donna Tabbi), 77 High St., Newburyport, MA 01950. Please also consider making someone’s life easier with a smile, a kind gesture or with Mary’s favorite mantra,”Let go and let God.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 9 Herbert St., Melrose, on Friday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
During the period of COVID-19, we request that those in attendance wear facial masks and exercise social distancing. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.gatelyfh.com.
