she burst out laughing, no worries dear, Bill came up and fixed it, were all set! – thank god for Bill.  

Section 4 

Mary was always so grateful for all we did for her, and repaid us with food. She would send over chicken, or ribs - something tasty, but always a bag of pastries or a cake from whites would be hanging on our door knob the next day and if it was Sunday, maybe even the paper.  She was always so appreciative.  

Lastly, who could forget Mary's summer soiree!  Attended annually by an assortment of Mary's friends, family and neighbors, but as Claire said, a gathering where we all got to meet one another, and perhaps intentionally by Mary knowing that someday these worlds would collide – and we are all grateful she did!   

Late in those summer afternoons when most guest had left she and her remaining friends carried on, we could hear them all laughing on her back porch well into the evening.  She was blessed with some wonderful ladies some here today and some who have already proceeded her in death. 
 
We will all miss Mary in our own way,  but for my family and me,  we will miss the day to day comings and goings of our wonderful neighbor who we grew to love as a part of our family and who simply just became another one of my girls!   

Thank you.   


Section 3 

Michelle and I have been in Scituate for 24 years, and we are so lucky to have such wonderful and welcoming neighbors.   
We figured Mary out quickly after moving in, that she was set in her ways.  For one thing, she made clear that the driveway island was her territory, which at the time, as most of you remember the shape and landscape of our home, we had plenty to take care of so the island upkeep was all hers.  

Shoveling the drive,  when we moved in, Mary had told me that she had someone who plowed for her, and now for us, so I just ended up shoveling it myself.  I assured her, that I'd take care of it all, along with both of her driveways too!  I would always follow up with a phone call, telling her she was all clear for departure – and she would always laugh. 

During the early years, there seemed to always be an incident in the driveway, usually someone backing into her plants or into her stone wall, a rock that may have fallen off into the driveway or into her yard.  It was always Dear,  could I speak to you for a moment, one of your friends must of backed up and hit the wall, so we would simply pick it up stone and put it back in place. 

A funny story that I always like to tell is the wheelbarrow incident.  I must of accidently bumped it in the driveway, not knowing but when I got to work Michelle called to ask if I hit it, I said, maybe but I didn't recall and wasn't sure , so I called Mary and said, I heard there was a hit and run in the driveway and she burst 

Section 2 

I could see how fond they were of Mary and what she meant to them.  Mary had always been a part of their lives, they saw her more than their own grandparents and over the last few months they had really enjoyed their time visiting with her and getting to know her as a adults.  

When we brought Zoë home as a baby for the first time, she told us then that she was allergic to children, which she would often say.  As a retired school bus driver, I can't say I blame her.  

Anyway, one baby girl turned into 4 little girls quickly enough and with that came a driveway full of bikes, scooters and baby carriages that Mary adjusted to quite well, I think she realized that this was far better than the disaster that preceded us. 
All it took was the honk of her old antique horn to clear the driveway!   

Mary's house was always the first house we'd hit trick or treating, and she always had something extra for the girls.  

Christmas, was our first stop before making our trek to the North Shore.  We would visit briefly, drop off a present, and she would show us her tree and what gifts she had received and then we'd be on our way. 

Mary became very attached to my girls, and always so proud of their accomplishments.
Ann McClusky once told me that Mary wasn’t a fan of children, but she loved our girls like her own.  


My Eulogy for Mary Lally – 4 Sections 

Section 1 

On behalf of our friend Mary, thank you all for coming.  
If she were here today, she would say, I'm so pleased and would certainly be moved by this show of sentiment. 

Claire, Elaine, and Sue, Mary couldn't have chosen three more wonderful people to assist her with her health and finances. You’ve been so gracious and so kind to her, and to all of us as well. As you know she loved you all so much. 

-	Janie, Andy, Michelle and I have been Mary's local team here assisting and aiding them whenever we could be of any help.  

It's been a busy 5 months for Mary, moving in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation centers, returning home and then realizing it was just too much for her both mentally and physically.   It's been difficult to watch her decline, especially a woman who had been so independent and so agile at the age of 92. 

Mary was finally ready to give up her home and move into an assisted living environment. She had decided that this was going to be her future or as we all told her, just a new chapter in her life.  It was nice seeing her having dinner with other residents and watching the ball game out in the living area engaging and making new acquaintances every day.

She looked so well, and rested. She was getting comfortable and beginning to enjoy herself receiving visitors daily.  
So I was truly surprised when Claire called Sunday night with the news of her passing, I guess I just thought she'd never leave us.  Michelle was just there visiting and I was planning on seeing her Monday night…  Sunrise was becoming part of our routine.   

When we told each one of the girls, we were so moved and surprised how emotional each got. Mary's death hit them hard, and I thought she is the first person that they've known to pass away who will leave an emptiness in their lives.  


Mary was a remarkable lady and a most cherished nember of our Scituate Garden Club. She was our “Friendship Chair” for years and years, which meant she was the one who sent all the cards, get well and sympathy, on behalf of our 102 year old club to  many of you. She was also the “greeter” to our Plant Salez, these last 20 years. There are countless stories,  of Mary’s extraordinary kindness and sensitivity. She will be missed. May she RIP
Suzanne Rynne
Scituate Garden Club
President

OBITUARY

Mary A. Lally

November 10, 1925 – July 8, 2018

Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home

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