Obituary: Longtime Wilmington Resident Raised Seven Children

The following is an obituary courtesy of Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home.

Mary C. (Curley) Parks, 85, of Wilmington, formerly of Lynn, beloved wife of the late Richard R. Parks, died peacefully on Thursday April 24, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late James J. and Johanna (Lynch) Curley. She was a graduate of St Patrick's Elementary School and Lynn English High School. At the age of 18, she married the love of her life "Dickie," and they shared over 60 years of marriage before his passing in 2008.

Mary's passion was her family and raising their 7 children together. She was very active in her parish, St Joseph's Church in Lynn for many years and was very devoted to The Blessed Mother her entire life. After moving to Wilmington in 1976, she was also active in St Dorothy's Church for over 30 years. Her devotion to her faith was a huge part of her life.

As the grandchildren began to arrive, she spent countless hours nurturing and babysitting the next generation always with much joy in her heart. Her fun loving nature and her love of life will always be remembered by her family.

She leaves her children, Joanne Seneta and her husband Gene of Lynn, Patricia Reid and her husband Steven of Methuen, Richard and his wife Laurie of Groveland, James of Wilmington, William and his wife Margaret of Pelham, NH, Maryann Barnsley and her spouse Melinda of Plymouth, NH, and Kelly Parks of Topsfield; 10 grandchildren, Kerri, Matthew, Eileen, Jessica, Brian, Lauren, Katherine, Olivia, Gracie and Samantha ; 4 great-grandchildren, Maia, Liam, Mollie and Isaac; one niece, Cathy Francoeur of Newmarket, NH.

The family also wishes to thank her special friend and companion Bea Moran who took such great care of her during her illness. They are also grateful to Sheila Camic of Wilmington and her other caretakers who brought so much comfort to her life. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St Jude Children's Hospital at PO Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148, or to The Pink Angels Inc. for breast cancer research, www.thepinkangels.org, 26 Nells Pond Rd Lynn, Ma 01904.