Mary A. Driscoll
Mary Theresa (Ridge) Driscoll died at her home in Milton surrounded by family and friends, Thursday March 15, 2012. She was 84 years old. Mary was born January 15, 1928 to Barbara and Joseph Ridge and grew up in Bunahown, Cashel, Galway. She was lovingly married to William Patrick Driscoll, who died in 2008, for 53 years. Mary is survived by daughter Barbara Draffone of Plymouth and her children, Liam, Meghan and Molly; son Kevin of Norwell and his wife Jo-Ann and their children Barry, Michael and Julia; son Brian Driscoll of Marblehead and his wife Barbra and their children Anna, Elena, Ridge and Caroline; daughter Mary Ann Noone from Quincy and her husband Richard and their children Brighid, Maura and Joseph; daughter Sheila McCullough from Yardley, PA and her husband Lonnie and their children Willem, Margaret, John and Patrick. Her beloved son Barry preceded her in death after a long battle with cancer in 1983. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Gregory Church, Dorchester, Monday March 19 at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Sunday 2-6 PM. Interment Milton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to Special Olympics, 1133 19th Street NW, 12th floor, Washington DC 20036-3604.
Guestbook Entries
Remembrance of Mrs. Driscoll
I see from the notice that Mrs. Dricsoll – Kevin’s Mom when not addressing her directly, was married for 53 years. I only hope my marriage endures so long. When I was married a mere 10 years ago, the minister read from the book of Ecclesiastes which goes something like this:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
It’s a familiar passage. The complete verse is often read at significant events like weddings and funerals and always leaves me reflecting on how change is the one thing we can count on in life.
A little further on, a less well-known passage from Ecclesiastes reads:
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
I don’t think always wearing white is a good idea or why or even how to anoint one’s head in oil. However, the advice of the anonymous philosopher who wrote Ecclesiastes that we should love each other while we’re here and enjoy life because in the end we’ll all die, seems pretty sound to me.
Growing up in Lower Mills in the ’60s and ’70s, Kevin’s Mom surely wasn’t the only woman with a brogue and houseful of kids. But I remember her as handling that role better than anyone I knew – equal parts cook, referee, quartermaster, commanding officer and consulting psychologist all done with a trademark Irish wit and smile.
She was very kind to me and I’ll remember her for that. I was always welcomed at the dinner table even though as a kid I was clueless about the additional strain on family resources.
As an adult, I moved away, went to school and ended up far from home. Now, I spend time planning to end up in Ireland where I last saw both Bill and Mary Driscoll (some years ago). It was sheer coincidence passing through Shannon Airport. I hear behind me that lilting voice of Mrs. Driscoll, Kevin’s Mom, from my childhood, “Heavens, what are you doing here?” and I turn around to nearly have my hand broken in a handshake with Bill. All smiles all around and it sticks with me to this day to have seen them that happy.
Slán agus beannacht leat as the Irish say, goodbye Mrs Driscoll and may goodness and blessings go with you.
Paul Cady
March 17, 2012