Mary Collins Vivaldi

Mary was born in Westfield, MA, a daughter of the late John and Johanna (Johnson) Collins. She graduated as the valedictorian from St. Mary’s High School in Westfield, MA. She then attended Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, MA., on a math scholarship.

Mary was the beloved wife of Isidore “Lou” Vivaldi, who died on February 15, 2024. They shared 56 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her sister Kathleen McMahon, and her brothers John Collins and James Collins. Mary is survived by her brother Michael Collins and his wife Julia of Somers, CT, her brother-in-law Thomas McMahon of East Hampton, CT and her sister-in-law Mary Collins of Springfield, MA.

Mary met Lou through the Boston Catholic Singles group in 1964. They were married in 1966, and they raised their three children in Sudbury. She is survived by her daughter Anne Marie and her husband Jack Sheehan of Manasquan, NJ, her son Joseph and his wife Elisabeth of Needham, MA, and son Michael and his wife Mailieha of Peabody, MA. She truly enjoyed her time with her five grandsons, John and Thomas Sheehan of Manasquan, NJ, and Peter, Luke and Stephen Vivaldi of Needham, MA. She is also survived by five nephews and one niece.

Mary’s faith was of utmost importance to her, she led a deeply religious life. Her personal mission was to instill the same religious values in her children. She was a loyal and devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima in Sudbury. She and Lou supported and volunteered for church activities for over 45 years. Mary was also an integral part of the Sudbury Fish Program for years, coordinating rides for seniors to doctor appointments and more.

After raising her children, Mary returned to the professional world. She worked for GTE in Needham as a computer programmer on a missile defense project, then for FM Global Insurance in Waltham, MA, until she retired in 2003.

Mary thoroughly enjoyed her retirement years, spending time between the Sudbury Historical Society, The Villagers, and the Sudbury Garden Club. She loved talking about her Irish heritage and kept in touch with extended family in New England and with many cousins in Ireland. She enjoyed travel and was proud to have visited Ireland several times as well as Italy, India and China. She was very sociable and always enjoyed a dinner party with friends or holidays with family. She will be remembered for her love of her family and friends.

The Vivaldi family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff of the New Horizons Assisted Living facility in Marlborough, MA, where both Lou and Mary lived in their final years. The family is very grateful for their devoted care.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, March 22nd at 10:00 AM at Ascension Parish (Our Lady of Fatima) in Sudbury, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charities closest to her heart, The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, MA https://ssjspringfield.org/ or The College of Our Lady of the Elms http://www.elms.edu/alumni/support-elms/make-a-gift/