Mary Close Skelly

SKELLY, Mary J. (Close) , 94, of Rogers Rd, Kittery, Maine and formerly of Hyde Park, Stoughton, South Boston and Dedham MA, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 21st at the Edgewood Nursing Home in Portsmouth, NH surrounded by her loving family.

She was the wife of the late Edmund B. Skelly to whom she was married on February 8, 1942 and who died on August 1st, 1977 and sister to her late brothers Thomas Close of California; Francis Close of Norwood and Falmouth; Robert Close of Waltham and John Close of Watertown.

Born in Dedham on April 2nd 1916 she was the daughter of Robert H. (Pop) Close of Dedham and Mary C. (Halleran) Close of Oranmore, Ireland and was a 1933 graduate of Dedham High School. Mrs. Skelly was employed as a switchboard operator for the former New England Telephone Company with twenty years of service when she retired in 1974. Mary was a long-standing member of the "New England Telephone Pioneers" and served in board positions for senior organizations including AARP. Mary was a dedicated communicant of St. Raphael's Church of Kittery, Maine and formerly of The Immaculate Conception Church in Stoughton and Most Precious Blood Church in Hyde Park, MA.

Mary leaves 5 children and their spouses who she also considered her children: Kathryn M. (Skelly) Tice and Jerry Tice of Kittery Maine; Edmund B. Skelly and Dorothy (Ryan) Skelly of Wilbraham, MA; John J. Skelly and Marylou (Grenier) Skelly of Stoughton, MA; Mary P. (Skelly) Collins and John (Jay) Collins of Norwood, MA and Richard J. Skelly and Colette (Coon) Skelly of Mansfield, MA. She also leaves 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, all the light of her life.

Funeral from the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St, (Rt. 1A) Norwood, Ma. Tues. Dec. 28 at 8 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St Catherine of Siena Church at 547 Washington St. Norwood, MA. at 9 am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment to follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. Following interment, an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced. The family will receive visitors at the Funeral Home, Mon. Dec. 27 4-8 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mary Skelly's name may be made to Boston Catholic Television at "Catholic TV", PO Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA 02471 (617-923-0220) for the continued comfort of the sick and invalid.