Mary Elizabeth Magee

Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Magee passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026, at the age of 92. The third of six Murray children, Liz grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts enjoying the outdoors and the activities that accompanied farming and horse country.

A proud graduate of Salve Regina college in 1954, Liz majored in Nutrition which would become the foundation of her career. Following graduation she studied voice in Florence, Italy where her focus was opera. This is where she met her first husband of eighteen years, Jerry O’Donoghue, with whom she had five children.

Liz used her skills in nutrition together with her outgoing personality, warmth, and charm in her role as Extension Home Economist, Plymouth County as part of the Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service for over twenty years. During that time, she educated homemakers, restaurants, food services, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and more, on food safety (gaining certification) across the state. Her biggest accomplishment, of which she was immensely proud, was the initiation of the annual Fisherman’s Harvest Festival in Plymouth, fondly known as “Fish Bash.” The event gathered fishermen, restaurants, and the public together to learn about underutilized species of fish and resulted in a boost within the industry. Her success was recognized with the “Past President’s Award” from the National Association of Extension Home Economists.

Liz loved life and lived it to the fullest. She traveled to many countries, enjoying the sights, cultures, food and architecture. Among her favorite activities was visiting churches and cathedrals, where she enjoyed singing to demonstrate the excellent acoustics. She adored her children, her family, and her friends. She had room in her heart and a cheery greeting for everyone she met. And there was always room for a serenade. She often preferred to express herself in song, matching just the right phrase for the moment. She married William “Bill” Magee in 2001, settling in South Dartmouth where they spent many lovely years together travelling, hosting wonderful parties, enjoying family, and taking to the waters on the “Blue Diamond.”

Mary Elizabeth is survived by her five children, Carol, Deirdre, Franny, Patrick and Diarmaid, her sisters Sylvia Hutter, Carol Hogan, Sarah Ann Mahoney and husband James Mahoney, many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and two great grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by her sister June Senghas and husband Richard Senghas, brother Tom Murray and wife Peggy Murray, brother-in-law Dolph Hutter, brother-in-law Brian Hogan, and husbands Jerry O’Donoghue and Bill Magee.

*LOCATION CHANGE*

Visiting hours will be Friday, April 10, 2026 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm in the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02745. Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 795 Dartmouth St., South Dartmouth, on Saturday April 11, at 10:00am. A livestream is provided by the church for those who can not attend. Please click this link to watch: https://stmarysdartmouth.org/watchmass.html Burial will be held in Glenwood Cemetery in S. Natick at a later date. For on-line tributes, visit our website at www.rock-funeralhome.com