Mary Theresa (McAuliffe) Leary, 86, a Bradford native and a longtime West Newbury resident, passed away peacefully Monday, July 18.
She was born July 8, 1930, the only child of the late Margaret (Noonan) and John McAuliffe. She grew up in Bradford, went to St. James School and spent many summers at Hampton Beach. Leary worked as a dental assistant in Dr. Murphy’s office, and it was there that she met John Mitchell Leary. They married in 1953 and moved to West Newbury, where they raised two children, John “Jack” Mitchell Leary Jr. and Maureen Therese Leary-Knowles. She was as a teacher’s aide at the Dr. John C. Page School, West Newbury. She was active in her children’s school activities, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and the many various sports teams. She was happiest when she had a house full of kids and a dog by her side.
Leary was predeceased by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her son, Jack and his wife, Christine (Cammett) and their children, Brien, Dan and his wife, Kayla, and Meghan Leary; Maureen and her husband, Harold, and their children, Sam and Harrison Knowles; and Helen Taffe Grenier, a lifelong friend.
At her request, there will be no visiting hours and funeral services will be private for the family. Arrangements are by Elliott, Woodworth & Rogers Family Funeral Home, 35 Green St., Newburyport.