- Date Of Birth: November 18, 1946
- Date Of Death: January 2, 2017
- State: Massachusetts
LAWRENCE – Mary Hanley originally of Lawrence passed peacefully on January 2, 2017, surrounded by her loving family after a 10 year long battle with cancer.
Mary is predeceased by her parents Joseph and Mary Hanley and her sister Kate Libby. Her surviving family members include her life-long partner Tom Doyle of Bradford and Tom’s daughter Kara Hanna and her children Michael, Christopher and Matthew; siblings Joseph Hanley of Lawrence, Peg Bujnowski and husband Rick of Salem, NH, Joan Ocasio and husband Al of Nashua, NH; several, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
Mary was educated at St. Patrick’s school in Lawrence and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Lowell. Mary began her working career in Boston as an employee of John Hancock. After moving to Newburyport Mary worked as a bartender at Michaels Harborside for several years where she made many life-long friends and often enjoyed telling the funny tales of days gone bye. As a third career Mary attended nursing school in Florida and practiced psychiatric nursing until the onset of her illness.
Mary was a kind and gentle spirit, with a great sense of humor. She liked nothing more than a good laugh. Mary was an avid reader with an extraordinary vocabulary who would occasionally showcase her talents with her prose. Although a swimmer she was not, her favorite times were spent lazing in the sun with her toes in the sand on the beaches of the east coast surrounded by her favorite people and her dog spike.
Despite that Mary was ill for many years she was never heard complaining of her illness. She cherished her life and was grateful for each given day. She is a testament to toughness and a model survivor of cancer and a life well lived. Mary will be missed greatly and remembered dearly by all who knew and loved her.
