Obituary of Mary E. Noonan

Mary E. Noonan a woman with unselfish love and devotion to her family passed away on Monday night, January 16, 2017. She was 90 years old. Mary was born in Cambridge the daughter of Cuthbert “Bert” and Elizabeth “Liz” Sutherby. She grew up in Somerville and was a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School in Somerville in 1943. She went to work at New England Telephone (Verizon) as an administrative assistant. It was during those years that she met her future husband, Daniel Noonan, at the renown Moseley’s on the Charles. They dated for 2 years and were married in June of 1951. They started their life together in Cambridge for several years, then moved to Somerville for the next 20 years where they had 6 children. Mary put a hold on her career to raise her family. In 1975 they settled in Woburn. Throughout her life she focused and dedicated her life to caring for and raising her family. Her home was always bustling with activity and children, but she always seemed to have everything under control. She possessed many qualities, traits, and virtues that she shared with her children as they grew up including; treating everyone with kindness, expressing gratitude for what you have, seeing the good in everything, being positive, speaking well of others, looking for the best in people, making time for family and friends, and always placing your family first in all aspects of your life. They are all strong qualities and well deserving to be emulated. Mary loved hosting family and friends at her home and away. Sunday dinners were extravagant with roast beef, ham, turkeys…… For Mary, there was no such thing as a small family gathering and there was always room for more. As her children grew up, Mary and Dan rented a 3- bedroom cottage in Northwood Lake for the entire summer every year. Three bedrooms for a family of 8 was tight, but Mary always opened the doors to relatives and friends to come visit. With all the guests, sometimes it felt like there was no place to move or even sleep, but it created lasting memories filled with laughter and fun. Mary wasn’t afraid to take on challenges. She loved being on the water and she was proud to be a 60 plus year old grandmother who still enjoyed waterskiing. When she went back to work in the 1970’s at New England Telephone, she wanted a more challenging career. She went back to school, nights, at Northeastern University. At the age of 58 she earned her Associates Degree in Computer Programming. Subsequently, she worked as a COBOL programmer developing software billing applications. Mary loved her life, exploring, and being on the go. Her family drove cross country in 1992 taking the Northern route on the ride West and the Southern route on the way home. She loved seeing the natural beauty and treasures in the United States that most only see in books, television, or online. She was on vacation in Las Vegas with family when the tragic events of 9/11 struck. With all the flights grounded, the group looked at their options and decided to rent a car and drive home from Nevada. She visited Bermuda on numerous vacations. Mary also was a talented musician. She was offered a music scholarship after high school, but chose to help her family and go to work. But that never stopped her from sitting at a piano and playing and singing her favorite songs for family and friends. Mary just wanted everyone to be happy and loved. At the age of 90, Mary’s legacy will be that of family, love, and laughter. That legacy will continue in her children, grandchildren, and great children and help guide them to make the world a bit brighter just as Mary had done. Mary was the beloved wife of 65 years of Daniel J. Noonan. She was the loving mother of Maureen Wilcinski & her husband Richard of Westford, Robert & his wife Rosemary of Dartmouth, James & his wife Elaine of Burlington, Richard & his wife Kim of Burlington, Barbara of Lowell and Paul & his wife Donna of Burlington. Mary was the proud grandmother of Stephanie Wilcinski, Liz & Bryan Doughty, Lea, Jon, Daniel & his wife Kellie, Patrick & his wife Lauren, Chris, Mike, Jill, Kara, Evan, Jenna, Ryan, & Steven Noonan and great grandmother of Caroline, Blake, & Jaxon Noonan. She was the caring sister of Francis Sutherby of Melrose, Gertrude Marshall of Stoneham, Rita Shaughnessy of Naples, FL, the late George & Albert Sutherby. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt., 128, Woburn side) on Friday, Jan. 20 at 9:00 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers memorials in Mary’s name may be made to St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington, MA 01803.