Mary Theresa DelGaudio. Mom passed away, unexpectedly, on Monday, April 27, 2015 at Manchester Memorial Hospital. She was born on Sunday, September 18, 1927, as Mary Theresa McDonald, in East Hartford, and during her 87+ years on earth was also known as Mama, Grandma, Nana Mary and Aunt Mary. To the love of her life, her husband John, she was known simply as Mary. Dad passed away in 2004, but she held him tightly in her heart until her last breath. She was raised in a close-knit family by her mother Loretta Mynahan, and was a loved and protective older sister to brothers’ Tom and Ed, and sister Ann. Her brother Charlie was killed at an early age while serving in the army… The troop, with Loretta at the helm, assisted by Mary, moved about a bit, and Mom called W. Roxbury and Newton MA home, graduating from Sacred Heart H.S. in Newton, before returning to E. Hartford to live with her most favorite aunt and uncle, Loretta’s sister Kay and her husband Bill Flanagan. Mom met Dad while both were employed at AC Hine in Hartford, and were married after a short courtship; Irish and Italian forever united. One daughter and two sons were born while they still lived in the home shared with Aunt Kay and Uncle Bill. Mary and John bought their first home in South Windsor in 1962, and later moved to Bolton and then Manchester, where Mom remained after Dad’s death, until her passing. They enjoyed caring for several 4 legged “children” over the years, and her loyal Yorkie Ethan will continue to be cared for by family members. Her life was one of hard work, during tough times, but not many did more with less… She was highly intelligent, and in a different era could have carved whatever path she chose, starting with college and moving forward from there. That choice was not available to her, but she still rose on her own merits, literally turning pennies into savings to buy their own home, and serving as Director of Finances and Human Resources for Dynamic Metals Corp, and later as CFO for Bolton Printing. She never gave an inch her entire life, was a dynamo of energy, and loved being outside more than anything, except when the UConn women had a game; she wouldn’t ever miss watching on TV!... Her garden was her favorite place; indeed she put in a few hours there on Friday before she took ill. As Mary, she leaves behind her brother Ed McDonald and his wife Mary Ann, as well as neighbors and friends from years gone by. She was Mom to Steve DelGaudio and his wife Maureen, Rob DelGaudio and wife Cecelia, and daughter Kathryn Boucher and husband Blair. Mama/Grandma/Nana Mary was immensely proud of all her grandchildren: Jeremy, Laura, John, Aja, Ariel, Naomi, Celeste and Nick, and her great-grandson, Julian… None of them could ever do wrong, although that didn’t stop her from worrying! She held close extended family also, including Mary Beth DelGaudio, mother to Laura and John. Calling hours will be held today Wednesday, April 29th from 6-8pm, at Watkins Funeral Home, 142 E. Center St, Manchester CT. Funeral services will be celebrated on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 9:15 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 896 Main St, Manchester. Burial will follow in Bolton Center Cemetery, Hebron Rd, Bolton CT. In lieu of flowers, in was Mary’s request that donations be sent to the Connecticut Humane Society, the American Cancer Society or the St. Vincent DePaul Society.