1923 - 2022
No Vistitation Date Scheduled
No Funeral Date Scheduled
Mary Crowley King, 98, of Westford, formerly of Needham and Gloucester, passed away on January 2, 2022, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Mary’s beloved husband, Dr. Joseph A. King, predeceased her in 2017.
Born on August 12, 1923, in Malden, MA to Miah and Molly Crowley, Mary moved to Medford, MA, as a child. She graduated from Medford High School and received her B.A. in English from Radcliffe College in 1945. It is at Harvard/Radcliffe that Mary met Joe, the love of her life. They were married for 70 years and raised 6 children in Needham, MA.
After college, Mary taught English at Beebe Jr. High School in Malden and worked as a social worker for Child Welfare Services. She opened a bookstore in Rockport, MA in the early 1980’s. Mary was a lifelong learner and a voracious reader. She enjoyed travel, tennis, swimming, birding, and long walks, especially at the beach in Gloucester.
Mary leaves behind her six children, Kathleen King Parker and her husband, Stephen, of Winchester; Rosemary King of Newburyport; Roger King and his wife, Lucy, of Boulder, CO; Maureen Kelly and her husband, Patrick, of Westford; Alice O’Connor and her husband, David, of Monument, CO; Elaine Nickerson of Newburyport. Mary also leaves her brother, Paul Crowley and his wife, Joan, and sister-in-law, Marita Crowley. Her brother, Jake Crowley, and sister, Betty Howard, and her son-in-law, Charlie Nickerson, pre-deceased Mary. In addition, Mary leaves 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s name may be made to Care Dimensions Hospice in Danvers, MA or the Fletcher Public Library, Westford, MA.
Due to Covid, a private funeral will be held at St. Catherine’s Church, Blessed Trinity Parish, followed by a burial in St. Catherine Cemetery, Westford, MA. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com. A Celebration of Life will take place in June 2022.
Cyndy Strong
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To The King Family,
My deepest sympathies to you during this time. Your mother was a wonderful, strong woman. She will live on in all of you.
My prayers are with you,
Cyndy
Laura Flessel
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Sending condolences to your family. What a remarkable life your mom/grandma lived. Her memory & spirit will live on w/each of you as she rests in peace now. Sending our love to all.
Roland & Arlene Sorel
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To the King Family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Your mother always had a kind word to say when she walked by our home and we will miss our neighbor.
Our prayers are with your family.
Roland & Arlene Sorel
Kathy and Chris McCarthy
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What a wonderful life. Sending all of you comfort.
Kathy and Chris
Lattimores
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I feel lucky to have shared laughs with Mrs King! Sending our condolence from NY!
Deb & Chris Perry
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Dear Kathleen, Rose, Roger, Maureen, Alice and family,
Sending you all our sincerest condolences. Your mom was so very special and bubbled over with kindness. May your wonderful memories bring you comfort and strength.
Deb & Chris Perry
Richard Connor
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Dear Kathleen, Rosemary, Roger, Maureen, Alice and Elaine and blessed family members,
Mary King was a lovely person and a quiet inspiration for many, as you can certainly appreciate. So very glad to have reconnected with your parents in Vero. Wishing you each the solace that helps sooth you. With respect and love, Dick Connor
Carol Connor
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I am so, so sorry for your loss,
I wrote to Maureen a couple of days ago. I hope she shared. Your mother (and your father) were two of my favorite people in life. There are many fond memories-going to the drive-in, all of us, in your big, white station wagon to see Moby Dick and then naming your car that. In Cape Cod one year, we were playing baseball and someone hit it into the ocean. I took off after it but was only 6 and couldn’t swim. In comes your mother, an amazing swimmer, to rescue me. My mother often commented on her elegance while swimming. Then to walk into The Lemon Tree in Vero for lunch and they both came in. I kept telling my friend that it looked just like Mrs. King (your father parking the car) and the waitress verified that it was. Such a reconnection. Then the double 90th birthday party. They will always be remembered and always bring a smile to my face.