Marie I. (Eagan) Staples, age 92 of Swansea, passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2015 in the Sarah S. Brayton Nursing Care Center in Fall River. She was the wife of the late Robert E. Staples to whom she had been married to 40 years.
Born in Dighton, the daughter of the late Owen J. and Margaret (Donahue) Eagan, she grew up in the Somerset Village surrounded by many cousins, relatives and friends. Early on in her marriage she moved to Asheville, NC and later settled in Swansea for over 50 years. She was a graduate of Somerset High School Class of 1940, received her Bachelor’s Degree from Bridgewater State Teachers College in 1944 and earned her Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Stonehill College.
Her love of teaching never wavered. Marie was a high school Mathematics Teacher for 37 years in the towns of Somerset, Ashville, NC, Taunton and for the last 17 years in Barrington, RI. As a young adult, Marie was a member of the Fall River Symphony Orchestra and was an accomplished violinist throughout her life. She was a member of the Women’s Club in Fall River, the RI Teachers Association and a communicant of St. Dominic’s Church in Swansea. Most of all she loved Somerset, her home town, and was very active in the Somerset Historical Society.
An avid traveler, Marie had toured most of Europe, Egypt and Turkey on her own and with the John McAvoy Tours. She was always inquisitive and was an avid reader who also enjoyed the arts and theatre. Marie was known to be a devoted dog and animal lover.
Marie is survived by her daughter Margaret A. Stafursky and her husband William of Oak Bluffs, MA; a grandson Robert E. Stafursky; step grandchildren Joshua Stafursky and Monica Crozier; son in-law Dr. Carl Ruck and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Dr. Blaise (Danny) Staples, sister Marguerite Eagan and step-brother Owen Eagan.
Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 10AM in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEORIAL TRIBUTE AT ROSE E. SULLIVAN 866 County St., Somerset followed by her funeral mass at 11AM in St. Dominic’s Church 1277 GAR Highway, Swansea. Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 3 to 7PM. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Somerset High School Alumni Association, c/o the Supt. of Schools 580 Whetstone Hill Rd., Somerset, MA 02726. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Somerset. To send a tribute or for directions please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com
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