Mary Alice McHugh

Mary Alice (Hennessy) McHugh, 97, passed away peacefully at home in Fort Myers, Florida, on April 15, 2026, surrounded by several of her loving children.

She was born on April 3, 1929, in Ballyporeen, County Tipperary, Ireland, the youngest child of Michael Hennessy, a tailor, and Mary Agnes (Noonan) Hennessy, a seamstress. After the early passing of her father, the family converted his tailor shop into a variety store where Mary developed her lifelong love of sweets, and jokingly "cut into the profits," by sneaking candy.

Encouraged by her mother, Mary applied to the Presentation Secondary School in Clonmel, County Tipperary, where she was accepted and graduated with honors, an accomplishment she held with quiet pride. A talented pianist and actress, she performed several leading roles on stage before immigrating to the United States.

After completing some additional schooling, Mary secured a position as a laboratory technician at the Boston Dispensary. While working there, she resided at the Franklin Square House until she met and married the love of her life, Joseph "Irish Joe" McHugh.

Over the years, their home in Swampscott, Massachusetts, became a warm and welcome gathering place for family and friends. There was Irish music playing, laughter filling the rooms, a pot of tea on the stove, and sweets in the tin. Mary created a home that was both joyful and well-kept; beds neatly made, uniforms pressed, and hearty meals on the table. She sewed dresses and made exquisite All Saints' Day and Halloween costumes for the family. Generosity was simply part of who she was. When her husband Joe surprised her with a coffee ice cream sundae, she would immediately share it, passing around spoons so everyone could have a taste. She was the kind of mother every child wished for.

Faith was at the heart of Mary's life and quietly shaped all that she did. She was a dedicated parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church in Swampscott, Massachusetts, and later St. Columbkille Parish in Fort Myers, Florida. She was also an active member of Our Lady's Sodality and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Maura and her husband Jim Cole of Woodland Hills, California; Patricia and her husband Richard LeBlanc of Swampscott, Massachusetts; Kate Mills and her late husband Alan Binkerd of Fort Myers, Florida; Brenda Cross of Huntersville, North Carolina; Joe McHugh and his wife Debra of Reading, Massachusetts; Mark McHugh of Swampscott, Massachusetts; Sheila and her husband Dan Saucier of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Julie and her late husband David Deselem of Mooresville, North Carolina. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Helena Hennessy as well as many cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband of over 70 years, Joseph ("Joe") McHugh; her siblings, John Hennessy and his wife Eily, and Patrick ("Pat") Hennessy; her sister-in-law Jean Noonan and her husband John; her sister-in-law Kathleen McHugh; and her brother-in-law Thomas McHugh and his wife Eileen.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date, with details to follow.