Mary M. LaRosa

Northborough – Mrs. Mary M. (Desmond) LaRosa, of Northborough, formerly of Waltham, died on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at The Coleman House in Northborough. She was 87.

Mary was born in Newton on April 26, 1924, a daughter of the late Dennis and Katrina (Hayes) Desmond. She was a longtime resident of Waltham and was predeceased by her husband, John J. LaRosa of LaRosa’s Market on Willow Street and longtime Waltham city councilor. Mary managed the Christmas tree and flower stand that the family ran for more than thirty years on Main Street near Saint Jude Church.

After raising her family in Waltham and summering in Westminster she moved to Marlboro and spent many happy summers with her grandchildren, boating and fishing on Fort Meadow Pond. She also enjoyed traveling with her children every weekend to different locations around New England.

She leaves her children, Priscilla Freda and her husband, Warren, of Hudson, James LaRosa of Maynard, Ellie Carey and her husband, Ralph, of Westminster and Patrice Giles and her husband, Andrew, of Lunenburg; her grandchildren, Emilie Freda Greene, Frederick S. Freda, Rebecca Freda Pope, John J. Carey, Dustin J. Carey, Charles D. Carey, Stacey A. Giles, Andrew F. Giles, III and Michael G. LaRosa; her brother, Edward Desmond of Waltham, 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was also the sister of the late Daniel Desmond and mother-in-law of the late Nancy (Kenney) LaRosa.

Family and friends will honor and remember Mary’s life by gathering to visit on Wednesday, June 8th, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham where her funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.