Mary Elizabeth Stevens
Of North Andover, formerly of Lowell
Mary Elizabeth (Murphy) Stevens, of North Andover, formerly of Lowell, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 1st at the Edgewood Retirement Community. She was the beloved wife of the late Jonathan Tyler Stevens who died January 14, 1997. He was a well-known Lowell businessman, owner of the former Stevens Business Services.
Born in Clinton, Massachusetts, July 8, 1915, the only child of the late Cecelia (Gibbons) Murphy and the late Frank W. Murphy, a funeral director in Clinton for over 50 years, she attended Clinton schools and was a graduate of Clinton High School. Eager to further her education, she then went on to attend the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA and graduated from Emmanuel College in Boston with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. Her college yearbook described her as “refinement personified”.
Before retiring, Mary was Chairman of the Tewksbury High School English Department for 10 years. Previously, she taught at the high school for over 25 years. She was known for her high standards for students and faculty alike.
She was long time communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell.
Mary lived in Lowell for over 50 years before moving to Edgewood Retirement Community in North Andover when it opened in 1997. She was well-known at Edgewood and was for many years responsible for arranging their cultural events.
Mary was involved with many charitable and civic organizations in Lowell. She served as a corporator and President of the Auxiliary at Lowell General Hospital, President of the Lowell Garden Club, member of the Paint & Powder Club, a supporter of the Whistler House Museum of Art and Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell, an advisor at the American Textile History Museum, and was a golfer and member of the Vesper Country Club for over half a century.
She loved the arts, whether it be a beautiful flower arrangement, a painting or a symphony. She and her husband Jon traveled the world over and particularly enjoyed Bermuda and St. Croix. They spent many happy years vacationing at Drakes Island in Wells, Maine.
Mary is survived by a nephew D. Tyler Stevens and his wife Ruth of Bartlett, NH; a niece Martha L. Kiernan and her husband Eugene of San Jose, CA; three grandnephews; a grandniece; two great-grandnieces; one great-grandnephew; and two cousins Mary T. Donnelly and Eleanor M. Gibbons both of Clinton, MA.
It being her wishes, there will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Wednesday morning at St. Michael Church in North Andover (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH) at 10 o’clock immediately followed by a life celebration at Edgewood Retirement Community, 575 Osgood St, N. Andover. Friends are also invited to attend her graveside Committal Service on THURSDAY at Lowell Cemetery at 12 o’clock noon. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to Lowell General Hospital, c/o Philanthropy Office, 295 Varnum Ave, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978)-458-8768.
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