Age 77, of Chatham, formerly Acton, passed peacefully at home on May 17, 2022, after a brief illness. Beloved wife of John William Giorgio for 43 years. Loving mother of Katy Giorgio of Juneau, Alaska, and her partner Drew Dembowski; Maggie Giorgio and her husband Eli Forsythe of Brooklyn, New York; and Emily Giorgio and her husband Ryan Darrenkamp of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Devoted grandmother (“Mar Mar”) to Billy, Mickey, Gwennie, Bowe, and Donna. Sister of Sr. Kathleen O’Brien of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the provincial for the School Sisters of Saint Francis; Michael O’Brien of Loretto, Mexico; Sara Sautin and her husband Jean François of Paris and Revel, France; Thomas O’Brien of Arlington, Virginia; and Susan Cotter and her husband Larry of Juneau, Alaska. Mary is predeceased by her parents Bill and Helen O’Brien of Sun City, California. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews from both sides of the family.
Mary was the epitome of a strong and capable woman. She graduated from Alverno College with an undergraduate degree in physics, Carnegie Mellon University with a master’s degree in urban planning, and Georgetown University Law School with a juris doctor degree. She worked as a staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Science and Technology where she provided staff support for several bills involving patent reform and technology transfer, all the while raising her three daughters. In fact, the day Katy was born, Mary was on the floor of Congress tending to one of the bills she helped write. Later in her career, Mary worked as an associate for KP Law, a municipal law firm, where she concentrated her practice in land use law. One of her colleagues recalled that on “Take Your Daughter to Work Day”, Mary gathered up all of the young girls who had come to the Office that day and she brought them across the street to the Land Court to watch Mary argue a motion. Mary retired several years ago after she and John moved from Acton to Chatham.
Mary always had a true passion for music. She sang for many years with the Harvard Radcliffe Chorus and then the Chatham Chorale, including performing with the Cape Symphony. Mary found such joy and solace in music, especially during her final days. When Mary could no longer sing, she was invited to a dress rehearsal for the Chatham Chorale’s most recent performance, which featured Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living.” When Mary entered the concert venue in her wheelchair, all the members of the Chorale stood up and gave her a standing ovation. She listened intently to the Chorale sing this beautiful piece of music with tears of joy streaming down her face.
Mary loved to travel. She and her husband explored many parts of the world, including South East Asia, South Africa, the Baltic Sea, and especially Italy and Ireland. Mary was an avid reader and long ago mastered the art of critical thinking. Especially in the world of politics, Mary did not suffer fools gladly. She was an ardent supporter of women’s rights and equality for everyone. In her later years, Mary volunteered for the Chatham Democratic Town Committee.
In addition to her professional life, Mary’s first priority was always her three daughters and her husband. She was an outstanding role model for family, friends, and colleagues. In her own way, she embodied what it means to lead “a life well lived.”
A Memorial Mass celebrating Mary’s life will be offered at Our Lady of the Cape Catholic Church, in Brewster on Thursday June 16, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Chatham Chorale, P.O. Box 1111, Dennis, MA 02670, or online at [email protected]. For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.
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