Mary J. (Gardner) Canavan

Mary Josephine Gardner Canavan, The Last Leaf, April 1, 1928-November 1, 2023:

Mary was born in Roxbury, MA. She lived there for many years, graduating from Roxbury High School in 1944. She married Edward Finn in 1950 and became a Brockton resident in 1961. Mary was involved with the BB Russell School, where her three daughters attended. She was also a member of the PTA. She worked at Coats and Fields and also at the BPM Market. She married Joseph Canavan in 1969 and remained in Brockton until 2000. She then became a “snowbird,” spending her summers in Dighton, MA, and her winters in Bradenton, Florida. She loved to recite poetry, her favorite being The Last Leaf by Oliver Wendell Holmes; she also loved to sing and dance. She won several dancing contests, participated in choir, and participated in numerous plays. She was a bright and lively spirit who lit up every room she entered. Her friends and family will greatly miss her. Mary was predeceased by her Father, Anthony William Gardner; her mother, Theresa Alerio Gardner; her sister, Dorothy Gardner Burke and her husband Thomas; her brother, William Anthony Gardner and his wife Betty; and her husband, Edward Finn and Joseph Canavan. She was indeed the last leaf. She was also predeceased by her precious daughter Kathleen Finn Bonaparte and her granddaughter Angelle Doten. She has left behind her two loving daughters and sons-in-law, Gail Finn Cripps and her husband Edward of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Lori Finn Meyers and her husband Allyn of Tiverton, RI, and also her son-in-law Peter Bonaparte of Avon. She also has left behind seven other grandchildren, Paul, Chris, Keith Persson, Charles Sergio Jr., Brian and Arthur Doten, and Tracy Bartell, 16 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord Jesus above all. She always claimed her most significant accomplishment was that she was responsible for 30 lives on this earth. Please join us for the celebration of her life. All are welcome to calling hours Thursday Nov. 9th from 4 to 6 p.m. with her funeral service beginning at 6 p.m. at Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St. Brockton. There will be a gathering for her final farewell Friday Nov. 10th at 11 a.m. at Waitt Funeral Home followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery. 

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