Mary Canulla

Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late G. John and Winifred (Dougherty) Canulla and grew up in Tiverton, a place that always held a special place in her heart. Mary lived life with a free spirit, residing in New Bedford, Acushnet, and Middleboro before settling in Dartmouth.

Mary retired from Verizon, where she worked as an office worker. Never one to sit still, she later embraced a variety of transportation-related roles, including bus driver, limousine driver, ferry shuttle operator, balloon delivery driver, and driving for Bloom Bus.

Mary had a deep love for the water, especially near Tiverton, where she grew up and felt most at peace. She will be fondly remembered as the life of the party and a gifted storyteller who could captivate any room. Her vibrant personality and sense of fun made her a joy to be around. In quieter moments, Mary enjoyed reading, expressing her creativity through painting, and watching historical movies. She loved all her animals, but her heart belonged especially to her cat, Abby, with whom she shared a bond of unconditional love, a companionship that endured until Abby passed just a month prior to Mary.

She is survived by her brothers, Dennis Canulla and his wife Margaret of Fall River, William Canulla and his wife Cherie of Tiverton; and her very dearest friend, Rita Boudreau of Dartmouth. Mary was called “Auntie”, a title given not by birth but by bond – by the family she welcomed into her life and loved as her own.

Her visitation will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford from 5:00-8:00PM, with a service to be held at 6:00PM for those who would like to attend at the funeral home. All other services are private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or at www.stjude.org. Arrangements are by the Rock Funeral Home. For online tribute/directions: www.rock-funeralhome.com.