Mary I. (Mulcahy) O'Dowd

Mary Irene (Mulcahy) O’Dowd, 99, of Worcester, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, April 28, 2024, surrounded by her family. 

Her husband of 69 years, John Richard “Dick” O’Dowd, passed away in 2016.

Mary was born in Worcester to David W. and Mary Catherine (Deignan) Mulcahy. She was a graduate of Commerce High School. She worked as an office clerk and comptometer operator at H.E. Shaw Co. After marriage, she and Richard relocated to Fitchburg, but eventually returned to Worcester to raise their three daughters. Later, she worked in sales at the Hallmark Store in the Worcester Galleria before retiring in her mid-seventies. She was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary parish.

Mary, also known as Mae, loved the ocean and planned many family trips to Cape Cod and Hampton Beach. Known for her sharp memory, she loved to tell stories of the past and was proud of her Irish heritage. There was nothing Mary loved more than spending time with her family. She relished her role as a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Mary leaves her two daughters, Maureen F. Bisnette and her husband David J. Bisnette of Worcester, and Nancy A. Benson and her husband Gerald B. Benson of Worcester; five grandchildren, Nicole Carroll, Kristen Wilson, Jennifer Glynn, Kevin Benson and Timothy Prue; eight great-grandchildren, Jack, Nina, Maranda, Maura, Justin, Kyleigh, Frank and Parker; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Joanne M. O’Dowd in 2020, and her siblings Robert, David, and Francis Mulcahy.   

Mary’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the caring staff at Sterling Village for their kindness and skill in Mary’s care.

A funeral will be held Thursday, May 2, with a calling hour at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales St., Worcester, followed by a Mass at 11 a.m. in the church. Burial with her husband and daughter will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden St., Worcester, MA, 01606; or Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 23 Fales St., Worcester, MA 01606.