Marie was born April 22, 1926 in Lynn, MA to Breed School Principal William Pashby, and his wife Antoinette. She grew up in Lynn, MA with her 2 brothers and 3 sisters. She attended St. Mary’s Grammar School and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1943.
Marie’s dream was to become a nurse, but her father wanted her to be a teacher. They made an agreement that if she went to Salem State and got all A’s she could then pursue nursing, which is what she did. She became an L.P.N. through Lynn Hospital School of Nursing and began her career. She later went back and received a business degree from Boston University and went on to become an R.N. through NSCC in 1972.
Her life changed when she saw John “Chunk” Waldron in his yellow bathing suit with the wolf on it and knew she would marry him. They wed in 1948 and were married for 53 years. Marie loved the sound of his voice and was happy to sit and listen to him sing to her. They had a loving marriage and she was his devoted caregiver when he needed it later in life. They could always be seen holding hands, right through to the end of his life.
Marie and John had 7 children who she cherished more than anything else. Sadly, tragedy struck the family, and they lost young Jimmy at age 3, just before they could all watch the anticipated premier of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. The holiday “special” remains a family tradition to watch in remembrance, taking special note of “a scooter for Jimmy.”
She never got over the loss of her baby boy, but she did continue to shower her remaining children with love. She enjoyed taking the family to Boston, to the movies, and to the drive-in. Anything that had Robert Preston in it was a must-see and would be seen multiple times. The family has many treasured memories of spending their summers at the family farm in Sutton, NH where all the siblings, cousins, and friends would get together.
Marie raised her children during the day while working full-time as a registered nurse overnight, a career she took great pride in. She worked at G.E. Riverworks, Lynn Hospital, Saugus Hospital, Lynn Public Nursing Home (Devlin), Mass Eye & Ear, and Union Hospital. She was known for her unwavering commitment to her patients, always prioritizing their rights and their dignity. She was well respected for her early advocacy for those in need. She continued her career until she retired from her favorite position in the Union Hospital oncology unit at age 75.
In 2013 she moved with her daughter Ellen to Lake Attitash in Amesbury where she loved sitting by the water. She enjoyed watching all the people, activities, swans, heron, and hummingbirds. A fresh tomato picked from their garden was a favorite treat (with salt!) along with vanilla ice cream, Wendy’s frosties, and Cadbury & Lindt chocolate. She spent many hours on the sunporch playing scrabble with her daughters who allowed her to look up the words in the dictionary (aka cheating). She loved reading fiction novels whenever she could, the Sunday comics, crossword puzzles, and watching Judge Judy at 4:00 every day. She stayed informed of news around the globe and current events. Her biggest disappointment was that she did not get to see a woman president which she had deeply hoped would be Hillary Clinton.
She acquired the name ‘B’ when her first grandchild Allison was unable to say her chosen name ‘Granny’. It became special to her as it was unique, and it was what all her grandkids and great grandkids called her. Even some friends and family started calling her B.
Marie / Mom / B will forever be remembered as a selfless loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who would do anything for her family. She will be forever missed, and her smile forever remembered by all the generations of her family.
Marie is survived by her children Joanna (Ernie) Hynes, Jean Folan, Ellen Hallissey, Eileen, Matt (Juliette)Waldron; Grandchildren, Allison and Amie Hallissey, Kevin (Erin)Hynes, Brian Hynes, William Waldron, James (Shelby) Waldron, Colleen (Eric) Pelczar. Mitchell and Abigail Waldron, Mia Rodriquez; Great-grandchildren Lilac Frontiera, Amore DiRocco, Chloe Volens, Makenzie and Ava Waldron, Andrew, Ryan, and Tyler Pelczar, Nora Hynes, Johari Waldron and Annaleigh Marie Waldron-Arroyo and several nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her parents William F. Pashby (1962) and Antoinette Marie Therien Pashby (1980), husband John Edward Waldron (2001), son John Joseph Waldron (2002) son James Matthew Waldron (1964), grandson Evan Michael Waldron (2015), siblings Rev. William Pashby (1978), Jeanne Roths (2020), Theresa Dillon (2005), Daniel Pashby (2015), Rosemarie (Reveile) Williams (2008), son-in-law John “Jack” Folan (2002)
As per Marie’s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. She will be interred in the family plot in St. Joseph’s cemetery in Lynn, MA.
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