Marilyn M. Tierney

HARWICH - Marilyn M. (McCormick) Tierney, 78, died Friday, Aug.3, 2007, at her home following a long illness. She was the wife of John D. ''Jack” Tierney Jr.

Marilyn was born in Holyoke, where she was raised and educated, graduating from Holyoke High School. She attended business college for a year before enrolling and graduating from The Forsyth School for Dental Hygiene in Boston.

After graduating, she began her career in Holyoke, working for two dental offices until her marriage to Jack on Sept. 10, 1956. They settled in Towson, Md., for 12 years and moved to Harwich in 1969, where they made their home. Marilyn began working at Dr. Ronald J. Dowgiallo's Dental Office in Harwich Port, and retired after 26 years in the 1990s.

Marilyn was a faithful member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in West Harwich, and loved spending time with her grandchildren. She loved the Cape Cod beaches and, more recently, her trips to Hawaii to visit her daughter, grandchildren and Kayana, her great-granddaughter.

Besides her husband and great-granddaughter, she is survived by her son John D. ''Jake” Tierney III of Thompson, Conn.; her daughter, Mary Kate Harrison of Pahoa, Hawaii; five grandchildren, Ryan, Christopher, Brie Anna, Tyler and Kaili; and several nieces and nephews. Marilyn was predeceased by her only brother, Robert F. McCormick.

The funeral will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Coutinho-Boisse Funeral Home, 678 Main St., Harwich, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Route 28, West Harwich. Burial will follow the Mass at 12:30 p.m. in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Visiting hours will be Tuesday evening at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m.

Donations are suggested in Marilyn's memory to a charity of one's choice. For more information, directions and personal guest and message book to the family, visit www.cbfuneralhome.com.

BOX 558, c/o Cape Cod Times, 319 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601.