
Some stories that she told me, and memories of Nan, 
Mary Veronica Cannata Eldredge  

Mary was born the eldest of the girls in her family, in 1922. Her mother was Anna O'Hare, an Irish girl, and her father was  Antonio Cannata, an Italian. Mary had the best qualities of those two peoples-courage, love of family, strength, kindness, faith and joy. I believe, at the time that Dorchester was the Irish section of Boston. Her father was the manager/custodian of the big catholic Church in Dorchester, or South Boston, that was right next door to their house. There were ten children in all, so it must have been a boisterous household.
	I remember hearing that Nan met Grampa Kenneth Eldredge during WWII, when he was stationed in Boston. He was in the Coast Guard, and apparently he wanted to be a musician.  He was in a band that played for the servicemen. At the time, Nan had long luxurious black hair, and from pictures I've seen, she could have rivaled Elizabeth Taylor. Nan had such spirit and laughter in her eyes!
	 There was also the story that she met Grampa at the wedding of her best friend Kay, also an Irish girl from South Boston. As fate would have it, Kay married Grampa's older brother Leo. Then when Nan married Grampa Kenneth, she moved to Chatham, and her best friend from her girlhood years was living right there down the street! They remained fast friends, and confidants, until Kay passed away a few years ago, in 2016. I remember Auntie Kay as a sweetheart.
	Nan had moved very far away from her large family in South Boston, perhaps farther than any other of her siblings. But she always had Auntie Kay nearby.
	Mary, being a city girl, had set her sights on the “Great Unknown”. I imagine Chatham back then in it's quieter times, the 40's, 50's, 60's, much more a small town than today. It was a whole new world for her. She took it all in stride, and was the best that a “wash a shore” could be.
Nan told us about the time that the Coast Guard Cutter came in with the many sailors crowding her deck, after rescuing them from the sinking Pendleton off of Nantucket. She and Grampa heard about the ship sinking, and the Coast Guard coming in to Chatham, and she said she bundled little Kenny into the car with them and they raced down to the Fish Pier. When the cutter came in, all the residents of Chatham who were there cheered the brave Coast Guard, who had done an amazing rescue.
	Mary became a devoted wife and mother. Her family was everything to her. Her pride and joy were her three children, Kenny, Chrissy, and Kevin. Kevin really looked the part of the Irish son, somewhat a devil, with a twinkle like his mother's in his eye. She was also proud of her lovely home. And she had many close friends in old Chatham couples, most of the men born and raised in Chatham: Ken and Leo Eldredge, their brother Donald, Willard Nickerson,  and Ben Goodspeed, and others of the old guard. 
	Her oldest, Kenny became a full time fisherman, following in the footsteps of his many Eldredge and Nickerson ancestors, working in a sometimes dangerous situation. Her other son Kevin, followed his father in running the Eldredge family laundry business. Chrissy also was instrumental in the running of the family business for most of her life.
	Mary kept her faith too. She often told me how when Ken made a fishing trip and the weather was bad, she would be praying for him, for his safe return. In fact, her influence, encouraged me to pray for him too, because many a day, those of us here on land would be worrying.
After the joy of raising her three children, Nan was very excited to begin having grandchildren. The first was Taylor Skidmore, his mom being Chrissy. Then when Eliza was born, to Ken and I, Mary was so thrilled to have a little girl to spoil with pretty things. A few years later when Katie came along, Nan cheerfully imparted to little Katie the joys of lovely outfits, good hair, and skillful makeup, and appropriate manners!
	Nan doted on her three grandchildren, and was always staying in touch with them with calls, letters, cards. Her granddaughters would visit her as often as they could.
	Mary loved her Irish music, and Katie would say how in later years, when Nan was living alone, and Katie visited, Nan would always play her favorite Irish singing group in videos every evening, so she could listen, and watch them perform.
	When Eliza and I last visited her on April 29th, a few days before her passing, I sang a few songs to her, and Liza played (on her phone)Irish music for her by her bedside, the whole time we were there.
	Mary was the last of her siblings to pass. She couldn't figure out why she was the last one, and that must have been hard to see them all go. I remember her as just about the kindest woman I have ever known. She loved her children and grandchildren deeply, and I never heard a harsh word from her. In fact if a little one started crying, Nan would cry too! But, in spite of the difficulties that she faced in her life, she was always strong, and had unlimited courage. She always had a smile, and a ready quip, and an encouraging word. She had a real heart of gold, and there aren't many like her.

Your mother was a wonderful friend to my mother, Barbara Keith, at Liberty Commons. I was lucky enough to meet Mary several times and always thought how lovely she looked dressed to the nines and filled with energy. 
Mary would give my mom excellent recommendations on PBS specials to catch, bring her magazines, and share fun treats like pizza and cookies from Chrissy. What a beautiful friendship they had, and it made quarantine bearable. My mom loved Mary and misses her, she's is so thankful that she got to know her. My siblings and I were so saddened to hear that she had passed. What a special person she was. Our heartfelt condolences to your family.
Best,
Sarah Keith

Remembering those times on the Cape, Chrissy.  You Mom was a Gem.  Love Never Dies.  Sharon

Mary was one of a kind..always looking beautiful and the most stylishly elegant lady on Cape Cod.  I have many happy memories of time spent with Mary.,and I was so gratified to know that she was happy and cheerful at the end of her life.   The Cannata family is now gone, I loved hearing Mary’s stories of growing up in Dorchester in a family with 10 children. I send my condolences to Kenny, Chrissy, and Kevin. My thoughts are with you.

Dear Kenny, Chrissy and Kevin,
I was exceedingly fond of your Mom and have many wonderful memories of all the good times we shared with our families.  Please know I'm thinking of you all at this time,
Sadie

My husband and I used to enjoy visits with Auntie Mary when we were in Chatham. She was so thoughtful when I had my transplant. She called often and sent gifts. She was the last of the Originals (the 10 Cannatas). She was a grand old gal. ❤️

OBITUARY

Mary V. Eldredge

February 28, 1922 – May 3, 2021

Nickerson Funeral Home

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