Mary passed on August 28, 2026 after a period of declining health, at the age of 89. Mary was born in the summer of 1937 as the first daughter of Irish immigrants, William and Elizabeth (O’Donnell) Sullivan. Mary is pre-deceased by her six siblings William (Sully), Edward (Teddy), Phillip (Barney), Robert (Bobby), Gail O’Neill and Beverly Gibbons.

Mary, raised in Charlestown, was immensely proud of her “townie” heritage. Her experience of growing-up in a mid-century, immigrant family was not easy nor idyllic. However, Mary learned what better looked like. Together with her husband, Steve, they worked hard to ensure their two sons, Stephen and Mark, experienced better. They were successful.

Mary was devoted to and loved her family dearly. She loved God and was a devote Catholic. Mary was quite the fashionista with perfectly curated hair, nails and make-up plus a coordinated outfit for every occasion……and lots and lots of shoes.

Mary graduated from Charlestown High, then worked for New England Telephone Company before raising her family. Mary married Stephen A. Curry in 1960, moving to Melrose in 1968. Mary worked part-time in the Melrose Public Schools for several years. When her children were grown, Mary joined the emerging venture capital industry for then start-up, Summit Partners. Mary enjoyed her work at Summit Partners and was proud of Summit Partner’s success, retiring in 2006.

Mary loved to travel. She traveled to many continents and countries and enjoyed learning the culture of these countries, often with her best friend and neighbor of 50 years, Eleanor. These trips provided a wealth of stories that Mary shared (and shared again and again) for many years at family dinners. In the 1990’s Mary traced her heritage to Donegal Ireland, eventually meeting and reuniting with her mother’s family. This reunion resulted in countless visits to Ireland. During retirement, Mary enjoyed many vacations with her family including trips to Disney World, cruises and our annual summer vacation in Chatham, Massachusetts.

Mary was the loving mother of her son Steve, his wife, Karen and son Mark, all of Melrose. Mary was grandmother to her cherished granddaughter Catherine Mary, Ashley and Andrew.

Catholic services at the Incarnation Church and interment at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose, where she lies in rest next to her dear friend Dee, were private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s name may be made to the Melrose High School Permanent Scholarship Fund at https://www.mhsfund.org/ways-to-give/donate/#.