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WORCESTER, Mass. - Mary G. (Murray) Ballantine, 96, of Worcester died Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at home. Her husband of 52 years, John V. Ballantine died in 1998.
She leaves two children, Maryanne M. Hammond and her husband Paul of Rochdale and Paul J. Ballantine and his partner, Barbara Cusack of Boston and several nieces and nephews, among them, Richard J. Cahill, Jr. and his wife, Kathleen of Holden. A brother, John E. Murray, Jr. and a sister, Anne E. Cahill predeceased her.
She was born in Worcester, daughter of John E. and Mary (Sullivan) Murray and graduated from South High School and Worcester State University, Class of 37’. She had just recently celebrated her 75th year class reunion.
Mary began her career as an educator, teaching Americanization in Worcester. She helped many of Worcester’s immigrants become American citizens. She had a warm spot in her heart for all the people she was able to help. After raising her family, she returned to her teaching profession at Lake Street School in Spencer for eight years, and would eventually retire as teaching principal of Grove Street School also in Spencer, several years ago. Mary truly loved being a principal and first grade teacher and took great pride in teaching over 600 children how to read. She was a long time member of Our Lady of the Angels Church, the MA Elementary School Principals Assoc., MA Teachers Assoc., the International Reading Assoc., the Alumni Assoc. of Worcester State University and the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
The family would like to thank Mary’s caregivers for all their gentle love and support helping to extend her life.
The Funeral will be held Friday, September 28 from Callahan and Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St. with a Mass at noon in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main St. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Visiting Hours are Thursday, September 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to, the Mary and John Ballantine Endowed Scholarship Fund, c/o the Office of Institutional Advancement, Worcester State University, 486 Chandler St., Worcester, 01602.
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