Mary Hanley, 70, of Lawrence passed peacefully Jan. 2, surrounded by her family after a 10-year long battle with cancer.
She was educated at St. Patrick’s school in Lawrence and received her bachelor’s in education at University of Lowell. Hanley began her working career in Boston as an employee of John Hancock. After moving to Newburyport, she worked as a bartender at Michaels Harborside for several years where she made many life-long friends and often enjoyed telling the funny tales of days gone bye. As a third career she attended nursing school in Florida and practiced psychiatric nursing until the onset of her illness. Although a swimmer she was not, her favorite times were spent lazing in the sun with her toes in the sand on the beaches of the east coast surrounded by her favorite people and dog spike.
Hanley was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Mary Hanley and her sister Kate Libby. Her surviving family members include her life-long partner Tom Doyle of Bradford and Tom’s daughter Kara Hanna and her children Michael, Christopher and Matthew; siblings Joseph Hanley of Lawrence, Peg Bujnowski and husband Rick of Salem, N.H., Joan Ocasio and husband Al of Nashua, N.H.; and several, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 6 at 11 a.m., at St. Patrick’s Church, Lawrence. At her request, there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Dana Farber at giving.org.