Ann Marie McNamara

Ann Marie McNamara's quote from her high school yearbook when she graduated from Watertown High School in 1952 read . . . 'personality, pep and plenty of go!' It really captured the essence of who she was and how she lived her life. She died peacefully with her family at her side at home on Saturday, November 18, 2017. She was 82.

Ann Marie Burgess was born March 15, 1935 in Cambridge, a daughter of the late Walter and Anna (Falter) Burgess. She attended Saint Peter's Elementary on Concord Avenue in Cambridge and attended Saint Patrick's High School before transferring to Watertown High School. Active in high school, she played on its basketball and field hockey teams, was a member of the glee club and was a drum majorette. She later attended the former Boston Business School.

On October 5, 1957, she married Michael J. McNamara in Saint Patrick's Church in Watertown. They lived many years in Belmont before making Waltham their home in 1965. They were married for 24 years before Michael's untimely death in 1981.

She worked in the personnel administration office at the state house in Boston before taking a position as supervisor for the United States Postal Service in Boston in its South Postal General Mail Center for over thirty years before retiring in 2001.

A lover of the water, Ann Marie enjoyed time spent on the beach with her feet in the sand while enjoying the company of family and friends at either Gray's Beach at Rocky Nook Point in Kingston, State Beach on Martha's Vineyard,or a beach nearby the family summer home in West Hyannisport. Always on the go, she was comfortable in the driver's seat for an outing and expedition. A well-travelled woman her family smiles with fondness as they recalled her desire to see all the world had to offer. She would have been an excellent travel agent. She enjoyed dancing and playing for her bowling league in Watertown. She was a member of Saint Luke's Church and taught in its CCD program.

In addition to her husband, Michael, she was predeceased by her brother, Walter Burgess and her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Mattos and her husband, Richard.

She leaves her children, Michael K. McNamara and his fiancée, Cathy Rogers, of Shirley, Sheila G. McNamara, Annellen M. McNamara, both of Waltham and Shawn F. McNamara and his wife, Tammy of Watertown; her grandchildren, Macayla and Michael McNamara; her sister-in-law, Ann Burgess of Randolph and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ann Marie's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, November 21st from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to The Church of Saint Luke, 132 Lexington Street, Belmont, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.

Memorial donations may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital, Development Office, 55 Fruit Street, Boston 02115 or to Saint Luke's Church, 132 Lexington Street, Belmont, MA 02478.