Obituary for Mary B. "Bernie" Greeley (Maher)
Mary Bernadette “Bernie” (Maher) Greeley, age 79, a longtime resident of Medford, passed away at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. “Bernie”, as she was affectionately known, was the cherished wife of the late William (Bill) F. Greeley with whom she enjoyed twenty-two years of marriage.
She was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on February 11, 1943 and was the daughter of the late Henry and Margaret (Gordon) Maher.
Bernie grew up in a tiny home on St. James’ Road with her loving parents, and her eight siblings. She loved getting dolled up and going to dances on Saturday nights with her girlfriends, and her very best friend Margaret (Purdy) Logan. Bernie bravely decided early on that she wanted to go to America; and at the tender age of 17 she made the journey solo and became a nanny for a family in Brookline, Massachusetts. Shortly thereafter, she began working as a waitress where she met Dottie Baldasaro. Dottie and her children swiftly became her American family, and the two were thick as thieves. Shortly thereafter, she met Bill, the owner of the U-City Restaurant in Cambridge, where she began working. Sparks flew between Bernie and her new boss. Bernie’s Irish humor, quick wit and sharp tongue were no match for Bill. He was smitten and they quickly became an item. Bernie, forever a diligent worker, continued waitressing and went on to hold various office positions, ultimately leading her to have a lasting career through to retirement with her dear friend Dottie, and her son, Johnny, at their paving company. Bernie’s pride and joy remained her family, and her two grandchildren. She happily spent much of her retirement caring for Madison and Conor, having sleepovers, making meals, telling stories and jokes, and sharing her amazing, distinctive, and one-of-a-kind personality.
Mary is survived by her son Michael and his wife Nice (DeVita) Greeley; her son Kevin and his husband Kyle Martell; her daughter Katy (Greeley) Bastarache and her husband Gary; and her beloved grandchildren, Madison (17) and Conor (12). Mary is also survived by two of her siblings, Geordie and Collette; her loving niece Alison Hart, her husband Martin and their children; as well as many other loving nieces and nephews overseas in Ireland, England and Australia. Mary was predeceased by her siblings, John, Henry, Margaret, Frankie, Marie, and sweet baby Theresa.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 from 4pm – 7pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. Funeral services and interment will be held privately.
She was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on February 11, 1943 and was the daughter of the late Henry and Margaret (Gordon) Maher.
Bernie grew up in a tiny home on St. James’ Road with her loving parents, and her eight siblings. She loved getting dolled up and going to dances on Saturday nights with her girlfriends, and her very best friend Margaret (Purdy) Logan. Bernie bravely decided early on that she wanted to go to America; and at the tender age of 17 she made the journey solo and became a nanny for a family in Brookline, Massachusetts. Shortly thereafter, she began working as a waitress where she met Dottie Baldasaro. Dottie and her children swiftly became her American family, and the two were thick as thieves. Shortly thereafter, she met Bill, the owner of the U-City Restaurant in Cambridge, where she began working. Sparks flew between Bernie and her new boss. Bernie’s Irish humor, quick wit and sharp tongue were no match for Bill. He was smitten and they quickly became an item. Bernie, forever a diligent worker, continued waitressing and went on to hold various office positions, ultimately leading her to have a lasting career through to retirement with her dear friend Dottie, and her son, Johnny, at their paving company. Bernie’s pride and joy remained her family, and her two grandchildren. She happily spent much of her retirement caring for Madison and Conor, having sleepovers, making meals, telling stories and jokes, and sharing her amazing, distinctive, and one-of-a-kind personality.
Mary is survived by her son Michael and his wife Nice (DeVita) Greeley; her son Kevin and his husband Kyle Martell; her daughter Katy (Greeley) Bastarache and her husband Gary; and her beloved grandchildren, Madison (17) and Conor (12). Mary is also survived by two of her siblings, Geordie and Collette; her loving niece Alison Hart, her husband Martin and their children; as well as many other loving nieces and nephews overseas in Ireland, England and Australia. Mary was predeceased by her siblings, John, Henry, Margaret, Frankie, Marie, and sweet baby Theresa.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 from 4pm – 7pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. Funeral services and interment will be held privately.