Mary Claire Mahoney

On Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 Mary Claire Mahoney passed away after battling cancer for over two years with dogged strength, determination and optimism. For 78 years she showered her creativity and passion upon all those she encountered… as a daughter, sister, aunt, Lynn school teacher, wife, Mom and Grammie. We will celebrate her fantastic life this Sunday October 5th at Buonfiglio Funeral Home in Revere from 3 pm to 6 pm. What follows are some details and stories of her life, told in the manner and with a flair for colorful details (and lack of brevity!) that Mary loved:

Born in Roanoke, Virginia on July 17th, 1947, Mary Claire Skendall was the third daughter of John V. Skendall, a meticulous safety engineer with Lithuanian roots from Lynn MA, and Margaret (Dunn) Skendall, a feisty Irish homemaker hailing from Winthrop MA. Mary loved to tell vivid stories and would regale her children about how ‘Grampie’ Skendall courted ‘Grammie’ Skendall by rowing her around the harbor. Eventually, the pair married and settled in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, and Mary attended the nearby Catholic school St. Ursula at Allison Park - a certain tale of justified fisticuffs between her and a nun are family lore- before graduating from Shaler Area High School with the Class of 1965. She then enrolled at Grove City College before transferring to Penn State to pursue a standard teaching career.

However, Mary was not a standard woman. She was fearless- she embraced offbeat paths with the confidence in which a proper “lady” of her generation was not to possess. In the summer of 1966, she was working at Cedar Point Amusement Park (as a train robbing cowgirl !!) when she encountered a young Marine from Medford MA - Lance Corporal Kevin Mahoney who had traveled to Ohio to officiate scores at the National Rifle Matches. There may have been bartop dancing involved... depending on the source. The pair fell in love and married on January 13th, 1968 after Kevin returned from multiple tours in Viet Nam.

The next chapter of the story took Mary to her mom’s beachside hometown of Winthrop MA where she was the captain and ballast of the Point Shirley Mahoney Clan. At the end, all of the Mahoney children were together at her bedside when her ship set sail for the final voyage to heaven. Supporting her was first born Meghan Diane and her husband Matt Whitler, with thoughtful messages from her boys Aidan, Alex and Henry. Eldest Son Kevin Sean Mahoney - who married Mary Nicosia of Revere stayed watch at her bedside. Third born was Kerrie Ann who married her husband Daniel “D.J.” Gottschall - they reside with their daughters Maggie and Ellie in North Carolina and visited Grammie and Papa to swim in the Bay every summer. The youngest member of the family (and the author of this tribute) came along as Matthew Ryan Mahoney who (got lucky) and wed Kimberly Ann (Carvalho) and reside with mom’s “Joy Boys” Owen and John in Topsfield, MA.

Once she finished raising her children Mary recommenced her education career. Naturally, she began by teaching prisoners how to read and write for many years at Deer Island Correctional Facility, Shirley House of Corrections and South Bay House of Corrections. Eventually, she earned her Master’s Degree from Lesley University. She procured a public school position and taught for decades in the Lynn Public Schools. She taught at Breed, Connery, Hood and Washington helping students from second grade through middle school. She was so proud and talented at sparking the love of learning in her children in a fun and original way.

Our Mom leaves this world as the first member of the Skendall children to embrace the Lord’s final blessing. Her surviving family include sister Ann Teele and her late husband Jim of Ipswich, MA and their children Lisa and Ted; Patricia Bernot and her husband Ed with her children Ed, John, Lynette, Patrick and the late Paul Bernot; John Skendall and his son Jay.

Mary was predeceased in life by many, MANY cherished pets. Though Dad lovingly called her “Mary Mary quite contrary” she never wavered in her love for pets and having a full and raucous home. At one point our family had 4 dogs, 2 cats and a turtle! Our family takes comfort knowing she is resting in heaven surrounded by the wags, purrs and kisses of Sherman, Bearky, Bonnie, Clyde, Trevor, Ms. Prim, Rocky Racoo (after Rolling Rock beer?, the 70’s were a weird time), Rickey, Raja, Houdini, Vanilla Bean, Cuddles and Ditka Bear. Your current “snuggle pup” Amber Rose will meet you up there once she is done helping Dad and our whole family through this sad time adjusting to life without the love and energy of a truly unique and nurturing woman.

A short service will be held. Mom didn’t want much pomp but our family recognizes she touched the lives of literally thousands of people. PLEASE join us to:

Celebrate the Life of Mary Mahoney and tell some stories

Sunday, October 5th, 2025

Visitation 3PM to 5PM

Celebratory Words from 5PM to 6PM

Buonfiglio Funeral Home

128 Revere St.

Revere, MA 02151

(near tha Blanchard’s, kid)

In lieu of flowers PLEASE consider donating to:

• The Winthrop Improvement and Historical Association (WIHA) of which Mary was an active member in her retirement.
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• The Kaplan House in Danvers whose staff cared for her in the final days with professionalism and expertise.