MARIANN NEARY FARRELLY

FARRELLY, Mariann Neary Age 92, of Mashpee, MA and Rancho Mirage, CA, passed away peacefully, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Providence, RI, in 1933 to Irish immigrants, John and Bessie (Hannon) Neary; Mariann brought light and laughter into the world from the start - and never stopped sharing it. She grew up alongside her beloved siblings; and is survived by her sister, Joan; and brother, Raymond. She was predeceased by her brothers, John, Jr. and Maurice. A proud graduate of Roger Williams School of Nursing and Northeastern University, Mariann was among the first nurse practitioners in the country, trailblazing a path for compassionate, patient-centered care. She gave flu shots well into her late 80s - not out of necessity but for joy. Healing came naturally to her. She met the love of her life, Dr. Robert Farrelly, and together they raised a large, close-knit family rooted in love, service and humor. They shared 55 years of marriage, before his passing in 2013. Mariann is survived by her children: Beth (John) Jordan of Duxbury, MA, Peter (Melinda) Farrelly of Ojai, CA, Bobby Farrelly (fiancée Lana) of Mashpee, MA, Cindy (Zen) Gesner of Malibu, CA and Nancy Farrelly of Duxbury, MA. She is also survived by her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Kathryn Farrelly; and grandson Jesse Farrelly. Mariann's passions were many: she was a joyful competitor in both golf and bridge - achieving the rare title of Gold Life Master. In addition to being a gifted artist and avid reader, Mariann was a longtime supporter of charities like the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Cod. But Mariann's greatest gift was how she made people feel. Whether leading a 40-foot conga line through a restaurant, trying out stand-up comedy in her 80s, or cooking her legendary spaghetti for friends and family, she had a way of turning every moment into a cherished memory. Her warm, radiant joy made everyone near her feel like the most important person in the room. She could turn mistakes into laughter, pain into compassion and strangers into friends. Her strong sense of faith wasn't just practiced - it was lived. She believed deeply in gratitude, community and the idea that life is meant to be embraced - not endured. Mariann made cameos in her sons' films but her greatest role was the one she played every day: mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, healer, friend. Her legacy lives on in the joy, radical inclusion and courage she passed down. Known for telling those around her, "You're the best!" Mariann truly was the best. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 6, at 11AM, at Christ the King Parish, 5 Job's Fishing Rd., Mashpee, MA. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Cod (www.boysgirlsclubcapecod.org) or Falmouth Hospital (http://givetocapecodhealth.org/).

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