Born in Chelsea on January 30, 1929, Mary spent her childhood in the North End and her teenage and young adult years in the West End. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Cambridge in 1947 and was married at St. Joseph’s Church in the West End on November 6, 1955. She and her husband raised their young family in Roxbury before moving to East Boston in 1970. She later lived in Winthrop before returning to the West End in 1997. Mary devoted her life to raising her children and grandchildren and treasured her family above all else.
A city girl at heart, some of Mary’s favorite pastimes included shopping at Downtown Crossing and enjoying double features at all of Boston’s old movie theaters. She loved walking along the banks of the Charles River and spending lazy summer days at Revere Beach. Mary could browse in the greeting card aisle for hours on end and loved choosing the perfect card to send to family and friends. She also enjoyed watching classic movies, especially those starring Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth, Charlton Heston, and Lana Turner. Andy Garcia was one of her favorite actors and she was thrilled to meet him at a screening of his film The Lost City in 2007. She rarely missed an episode of her favorite TV shows, including Blue Bloods, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Dancing with the Stars, and the long-running soap opera The Young and the Restless. Mary was an avid Boston Bruins fan and especially loved her favorite player Patrice Bergeron. As a devout Catholic, Mary faithfully celebrated mass every week and was an active parishioner at many churches throughout her life. St. Joseph’s Church, St. Patrick’s Church, and Holy Rosary Church all held a special place in her heart.
Mary was the beloved wife of the late Evangelos Drevos. Devoted mother of daughter Susan Dempsey and her husband Jack, and sons Matthew Drevos, John Drevos, and James Drevos and his wife Jacqueline. Loving Nonny of Meaghan Dempsey, Jillian Dempsey, Connor Dempsey and his fiancée Natalie Geisler, Hunter Dempsey, Lauren Howard, and Nicholas Drevos. Adored daughter of the late Antonio Gannetta and Maria (Persichini). Cherished sister of Josephine Grove, Dorothy Bonanni, and the late Anthony Gannetta Jr., Eleanor Matranga, Rose Masone, and Margaret Gannetta. Also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and her “grand-dogs” Jake and Murphy.
Mary’s family would like to extend special gratitude to her longtime primary care physician Dr. Shana Birnbaum, whose dedication and care over the past several decades was unparalleled. They credit Dr. Birnbaum’s medical expertise and unwavering devotion with extending Mary’s life and giving her family the treasured gift of spending many more years with her. All of the doctors and nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital who cared for Mary throughout the years were extraordinary in their compassion and humanity until the end.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, April 28 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the J.S. Waterman Langone Chapel, 580 Commercial St, Boston, MA 02109. Complimentary valet parking is available in front of the funeral home. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, April 29 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Church, 68 William Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, MA 02114. Burial to follow at The Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery, 670 Baker St, West Roxbury, MA 02132. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
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