Mary J. (Vanaria) Roughsedge

Mary Josephine Roughsedge experienced the joy of celebrating her 100th birthday this past Christmas Eve. Surrounded by her loving family on Christmas Day, she marked this milestone with warmth and happiness.

She died peacefully just five days later on Monday, December 30, 2024. 

Born in Waltham in 1924, Mary was one of twelve children of the late Antonio and Lucia (Alfino) Vanaria. Raised in Waltham, she graduated with honors from Saint Mary’s High School in 1942. She would later marry Walter V. Roughsedge on October 9th, 1948, at St. Mary’s Church in Waltham. 

After Walter died on March 27th, 2005, Mary relocated to Clinton and later to Bolton in 2022 to be with her daughter, Jane. 

Choosing to remain at home to raise her three children, Mary would later re-enter the workforce as a science librarian at Brandeis University for many years thereafter. Mary loved family, immediate and extended. She owned a home on Cape Cod in Centerville and loved spending time at Lewis Bay. 

A devout Catholic all her life, Mary instilled this love of her faith in her children and witnessed to it daily.

In addition to her husband, Walter, she was predeceased by siblings, Evelyn Sushinsky, Dr. Anthony Vanaria, Chrispian, Felix, Alfred, Francis, Joseph and Leonard Vanaria, Rose Fiorelli and Antoinette Connelly.

She leaves her children, Jane E. Jacobs (Richard Jr.) of Bolton, Paul V. Roughsedge (Anna) of Sudbury and John C. Roughsedge of Acton; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Jacobs (Andrea), Elizabeth Jacobs (Andrew Gallagher), Lisa Twomey (Patrick), Thomas and Samantha Roughsedge; her great-grandchildren, Grace, Kayla, Adrian, Alex and Josie; sister of Anna Anderson of Billerica; sister-in-law of Lillian Vanaria of Pepperell; survived by many nieces and nephews and their families. 

Family and friends will honor and remember Mary's life by gathering for an Evening Wake at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Monday, January 6, 2025 from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.