Mary Elizabeth Murdy Balegno

She was born on May 26, 1929 in Bridgeport, CT., the daughter of Charles Gerald Murdy and Anne (Butler) Murdy. She was the wife of Lawrence Louis Balegno. She was the mother of Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Ferguson and Gerald David Balegno, both of Hyannis. She was the beloved grandmother of Charles Gerald Ferguson.

Mary grew up in West Roxbury and Hyannis. She attended Rosary Academy and graduated from Barnstable High School in 1947. She received her bachelor’s degree from Emmanuel College in 1951.

Following in her father’s footsteps she joined the U.S. Navy upon graduation as an Ensign. She attended officer indoctrination in Newport, RI achieving the rank of Lieutenant JG. Mary was a communications officer assigned to the Fargo Building in Boston and later worked at the Pentagon for Naval Air Intelligence during the Korean Conflict era.

After leaving the military Mary began her teaching career. She taught in East Islip, Long Island before returning to Massachusetts. She taught in the Bourne and Barnstable School Systems. Mary earned her Master’s degree in Education from Bridgewater State College. While teaching in Bourne she met Larry Balegno whom she later married. Mary and Larry lived in the Hyannis Park section of West Yarmouth with their children. Mary was predeceased by Larry in 1991.

After retiring from teaching and raising her family, Mary worked for the Cape Cod Times and then Puritan Clothing retiring in 2005.

Mary enjoyed traveling especially to visit her son, Gerry, when he lived in Vermont. She also took many trips to Florida. She loved to go to Disney World with her grandson.

Of all her accomplishments she may have been happiest to be Grammy. She was proud to be a staunch supporter of her grandson, Charlie, attending all of his plays at Barnstable High School and Emmanuel College. She may have been proudest of his decision to attend her Alma Mater, Emmanuel College and she was looking forward to attending his graduation next year. Last fall she was honored to participate in Emmanuel’s Junior ring and tassel ceremony as one of the legacy families.

She will be missed by her family and friends. Visiting hours will be from 3pm-6pm at Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 160 West Main St., Hyannis on Sunday, February 10, 2013. Her funeral Mass will be held on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 10am at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville. Burial will follow at the National Cemetery in Bourne.