Mary Ann Clark

Mary Ann Clark (Grasso) passed away on May 2, 2024. She was born in Newtonville, Massachusetts on September 8, 1926.

Mary's long, wonderful life was a thread across many global events and world changes as well as a spectacular tapestry of personal experiences. She was born at home at 11 Jones Court in an Italian Immigrant Community nestled in Newtonville fondly known as "The Lake". Her brother, Joseph Grasso and her parents, Anna Maria (Battista) and Giovanni Grasso whose roots were in Castelvetere Val Forte, Italy, and the surrounding Italian Community in The Lake provided a rich cultural backdrop for her childhood.

The Castelvetere Italian dialect was her first language and she learned English when she went to school. In the 1960's when Mary learned Spanish in Peru, she jokingly said, "I am a speaker of three languages, and a master of none."

At age seven she traveled with her mother and brother to Castelvetere where they lived with her mother's family for six months. She experienced the adventure of a lifetime, while living in the village of her heritage.

When Mary was ten years old, her parents and other members of the community orchestrated naming Saint Maria de Carmen as the patron saint of their community. The committee brought a statue of Saint Maria de Carmen from Italy and honored the saint each year in a procession and festival. The celebration was a highlight of Mary's growing up years. She was among the children to walk in the inaugural procession and loved the excitement and joy each year as Saint Maria de Carmen was carried through the streets, everyone greeting her and reaching to touch her skirts as she moved through the crowds.

Mary attended Newton Public schools and always said her education really began when she left high school. Indeed, Mary's great curiosity about life fueled her brilliant self-education. She was well read and carried on lively conversations with all who had the pleasure of spending time with her. She loved playing Bridge and was an avid golfer. Mary never met a stranger, and she engaged in conversations with everyone and anyone in her path. She always made everyone feel included. Her artistic expression was cooking and baking. She loved preparing and serving food and entertaining. She was also a knitter and made many wonderful blankets and sweaters.

Roller skating was Mary's passion in her teens and early twenties. She was on skates every chance she had. It was at the skating rink that she met and fell in love with the man of her dreams – Robert B. Clark (Bob). They were married on September 30, 1950. Early in their marriage Bob attended MIT. Mary was proud to have put her husband through MIT. Bob's career took Mary and their family out West and to Peru, South America. As a family, they enjoyed camping, going to museums, board games, sitting down as a family to dinner, outings, and visits with friends and family.

One of the brightly colored ribbons through Mary's life was her many friendships. She had the blessing of wonderful friendships wherever she lived, and she carried on her friendships throughout her life. She maintained a lifelong correspondence with a friend from India that she met in her twenties while at MIT. In the last year of her life, she enjoyed a delightful visit with her dear and longest continuing friend of 61 years, Ketty Wadia. She loved her Tucson Bridge friends and always enjoyed playing Bridge and Mexican Train with her friends and family.

Her Italian heritage coupled with a deep faith and love of God, were Mary's anchors.

She found Jesus at an early age and her faith was manifested in loving others and her endless generosity. She relied deeply on God and could often be overheard saying, "Please Dear Lord, show me what to do.'

She leaves us with a great legacy. Some of the things she taught us – People the world over are the same; Always believe the best and always see the good in others; Forgive; Talk to strangers. Be generous; Travel to new places; and Learn something new every day.

Mary's greatest joy in life was her family. Each family member had a very special place in her heart. She loved spending time with all of them. Mary is pre-deceased by her husband, Robert B. Clark; her father, Giovanni Grasso; her mother, Anna Maria (Battista) Grasso (Finelli); and her brother, Joseph Grasso.

She is survived by her five children – Peggy Clark; Ellen (Elena) Torphy (Kevin Torphy); Sharon Lewis (Barbara Holland); Robert Clark; Charlene Murray (Eric Murray) and her

ten Grandchildren, and nine Great-Grandchildren.

Mary will be greatly missed, and her legacy will continue in the lives she touched while here.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on May 14, 2024 at Saint Cyril of Alexandria (4725 East Pima St, Tucson, AZ 85712) followed by a reception at Doherty Hall on the Saint Cyril campus.

Donations in Mary's memory can be made to:

Saint Mary of Carmen Society

PO Box 95094

Newton, MA 02495

Attn: Scholarship Fund