Obituary of Mary Bresette

Mary Bresette, the oldest living resident of Burlington passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on Wednesday morning, February 20, 2013. She was 107 years old. Mary was born in 1905 in Providence, RI, the daughter of the late John and Emily Keefe. She experienced what most only read about in history books. She was born just as Theodore Roosevelt became President, she lived thru 2 World Wars, The Great Depression, and the invention of television and computers. She travelled the world, met Queens and Heads of State. Mary grew up in a different time, when children were lucky to have an education because they had to go to work or help take of their siblings like Mary did. She entered St. Edward’s School at age five and graduated from the 9th grade at the age of 12, having skipped the 7th grade. Mary met Henry Bresette at age 16, they married two years later in 1924 and they made a wonderful team. Henry worked as a successful executive in the textile industry, and the family moved all around New England, each time Mary made them a warm and loving home. After their children were grown and during the 1960’s, Henry took a position with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and he and Mary moved to Vietnam, Bangkok, and Thailand. She met the Queen of Thailand, rolled bandages for the Red Cross with the wives of Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge and General Westmoreland, and always presented herself with dignity and a well-mannered “Lady”. Mary was an avid golfer in the 1930s and 1940s and continued her interest in golf by watching tournaments on television till the day she died. She made a tradition of going to Army vs Navy football games. And with all her manners, she was surprisingly a Bruins fan. It was the sum of all these experiences that defined Mary Bresette. She had a strong moral character and values and rules that she followed. During the Great Depression she opened their home to those in need. She always believed in treating others with respect and care, not to complain or gossip about others, to always be polite, and always to use your manners. She believed Sunday China should be used every day. She was always conscious of her surroundings and never stopped learning. Others described her as dignified and hospitable. Her family lived under these guidelines and respected her as the matriarch of the Bresette family and lovingly referred to her as “Queen Mary”. For Mary, her greatest legacy is that of her family. It was so special to have seen her family grow from 3 children to 19 grandchildren, to 43 great grandchildren and to 6 great great grandchildren, with each of whom she had a special bond. A little piece of Mary lives on in all the hearts of those she touched during her 107 years. She will be missed, loved, and always remembered. Mary was the beloved wife of late Henry N. Bresette. She was the loving mother of Pauline Alberghini of Burlington, Dr. John F. Bresette & his wife Kathleen of Barnstable, and Richard H. Bresette of Monroe, GA. She was predeceased by her siblings; John Keefe, Christina Bashaw, Loretta Floody, Pauline Stromberg, and Emma Keefe. Mary was also survived by 19 grandchildren, 43 Great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served at the parish hall following the mass. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI. In lieu of flowers, please offer memorials in Mary’s name to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9, Lawrence, MA 01843.