OBITUARY: Mary Marguerite Hemenway
Mary Marguerite (Daly) Hemenway passed from this earth Saturday, May 31, 2014. She was born (with a smile on her face) July 21, 1942 to Marjorie A. (Connell) Daly and Vincent B. Daly of Forge Village (Westford). Mary resided in Forge Village, teaching all the boys in the neighborhood, including her beloved brother Vin, to whistle and challenging them to all sporting activities, as was her nature, until her marriage to Charles G. Hemenway of Groton. Mary and Charlie were married in 1965 and resided in West Groton. During the next 40 plus years, they raised two children, an annual vegetable garden of bumper crop vegetables that Mary canned or froze and managed a gentleman's farm of various chickens, pigs, goats and calves. Mary was always ready with a smile, hug or story for all she met. She and Charlie often entertained many in their living room, recalling adventures of wildlife they had seen and fishing excursions on Lake Massapoag and Lake Winnisquam, where they had summer camps over the years.
Since her prognosis with pancreatic cancer in late January, Mary could be found weekly at the Burbank Cancer Center with a ready smile, wave or "good morning"...because she herself was smiling in the face of adversity, Mary knew her good cheer might bring happiness to others in her situation.
Mary leaves her daughter and son-in-law of Mason, NH, Tina M. and Michael McGuire and their children Jack, Molly, Erin and Michael; her son and daughter-in-law of Saco, ME, Charles G. and Beth Hemenway and their children Samuel, Ellis and Greta; her brother and sister-in-law of Chelmsford, Vincent B. and Marsha Daly; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law of Groton, Jean and John Sheedy; and several aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. Although Mary had no sisters, she considered Marsha and Jean true sisters that she was blessed to have. Mary's nieces, Pamela Donoghue and Karen Corey, were especially close to her, and she considered her great-nephew, Elijah Donoghue, a grandchild. Mary will be missed greatly by her grandchildren, as she was very proud of their accomplishments and of the fine young ladies and gentlemen that they were becoming. Always encouraging the best in others, and lending a smile and a hug, Mary's support of her family was a blessing to all.
Mary joins her predeceased parents, Vincent B. and Marjorie A. Daly, her husband Charles G. Hemenway and her devoted brother-in-law, Robert W. Hemenway in eternal peace. A celebration of life will take place on June 28 at 4 p.m. at Groton Senior Center, 163 W, Main Street (Route 225), West Groton. At Mary's request, there will be no calling hours. If you wish to honor Mary's memory, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society.
