Mary Margaret Bennett

Mary Margaret (Morello) Bennett, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024, in the comfort of her home in Princeton.

Mary Bennett was a LICSW social worker in Worcester throughout her career, for most of which she was the Director of Men’s and Women’s anger management programs at UMASS Psychiatry Clinic. Growing up, she graduated Commerce High School, and earned bachelor degrees in religious studies and psychology at Assumption College receiving academic awards in excellence for both majors. She then went to Boston University and received a masters degree in social work.

She was greatly influenced by the Catholic peace and justice movements, which included the teachings of Michael True from Worcester, who she was proud to call a friend. Mary was a member of the Worcester Friends Meeting (Quakers) where she especially enjoyed making apple pies in the Fall and berry pies in the Spring for their market days. She was a second-degree green belt in Goju-Ryu Karate-Do under the tutelage of Steven Chalmers. Mary was an avid environmentalist, ardent hiker and runner, who ran her whole life and was a frequent participant of the women’s Bonne Bell mini marathon and ran with a team of friends in Worcester in a t-shirt that read “Italian hill power”, often ending in a race to the top of Bancroft tower. She also served the mission council at Agape Community in Hardwick. 

Mary believed in the fundamental goodness of each person and taught nonviolence in the anger management programs she ran with her dear friend Lynn Dowd and Patty Cappodona. The program taught each individual how to self-regulate emotional arousal and to obtain their goals nonviolently. You may have seen Mary holding a peace sign throughout the City. Mary went on three bike rides through the Middle East with 320 other women from various countries throughout the World encouraging a peace dialog between the Palestinian, Israeli, Syrian and Lebanese peoples.

Born June 23, 1948 in Worcester, Mary was proud of her Italian heritage. Her father, John V. Morello, was a decorated WWII hero. Her mother, who recently passed, was Mary S. (Pignataro) Morello. Mary was fortunate to have had numerous cousins and so many precious friends. Mary leaves behind her sister Gina and her wonderful wife Jodi, her sister Christine and her husband Jeff, and her brother John V. Vincent Morello Jr. and his wife Janice. Mary was fortunate to have numerous nieces and nephews whom she adored. One of Mary’s greatest blessings was meeting her husband Dallas nearly seven years ago and raising her daughter Paula (with her husband Steve and their wonderful daughter Pari) and son Michael (with his wife Amanda).

If you are inclined, donations are welcome for the Agape Community in Hardwick, MA, the Worcester Friends Meeting (Quakers) at 901 Pleasant Street in Worcester, or to Goju-Ryu Karate-Do payable to Steven Chalmers at 83 Browning Pond Road, Spencer 01562.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Spring of 2025, at date, time and place to be announced.