Mary Catherine Daggett

Waltham – Mrs. Mary Catherine (McKenna) Daggett, of Waltham, died Monday, March 21, 2011 at Maristhill Nursing Home in Waltham. She was 101 years old.

Mary was born in Waltham on November 24, 1909, a daughter of the late Stephen and Annie (Murray) McKenna, both of whom emigrated from Ireland. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in Waltham and went on to attend Bryant & Stratton School in Boston. She married George F. Daggett of Watertown in 1935 and lived there for the next 45 years, until 1980, when they moved to Waltham. During the Watertown years, Mary was a Girl Scout Leader in the Watertown Public Schools and at Saint Patrick's School. She was a long-time, active parishioner and supporter of St. Patrick's Church and school, where her son was a student and a 1958 graduate. She was also a volunteer at Rosary Academy, where her older daughter Joan attended, graduating in 1954. The May Procession at Rosary was her favorite volunteer activity.

Mary loved music and was a talented pianist. She played for her enjoyment and that of her family and, for a time, was a pianist at a Waltham dance studio.

In the mid 1950's Mary began working part-time at the, then new, School Savings Program of the Watertown Savings Bank. She left the bank a few years later to join the staff of the Boston University Office of Finance. She retired in 1975 but returned part-time for several years. B.U. became her "second home." After her final retirement and move to Waltham she became a volunteer for the Waltham Meals on Wheels program was an involved member, supporter and volunteer worker at Saint Charles Borromeo Church. She also was a volunteer cashier for 20 years at the onsite store at the Francis Cabot Lowell Mill, when, in her 98th year, she decided it was time to relax.

Her husband, George, died in 1981 and Mary was saddened by the death of her only son, George F. Daggett, Jr., in 1994, and later, the death of her oldest daughter, Joan Marie Daggett Fennelly in 2006.

She leaves her daughter, Arlene Mary Daggett of North Bethesda, Maryland; her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Down Daggett of Mashpee; her sons-in-law, Richard M. Fennelly, Jr. of Framingham and Gordon A. Campbell of North Bethesda, Maryland; seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, all of whom know well that her Irish eyes are smiling on them all. She and her good humor will be missed.

Mary was also the sister of the late John J., Charles J. and Eugene F. McKenna.

Family and friends will honor and remember Mary’s life by gathering to visit in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of Saint Charles Borromeo Church, 51 Hall Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Friends of the Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451.