Mary Lee F. (Josserand) Scharaffa, of Melrose, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, September 5, 2020, surrounded by her loving family after a long and courageous 20 year battle with dementia. Beloved daughter of the late Jewel and Mary (Bova) Josserand. Devoted wife for almost 50 years to former Commissioner of the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board, Frank J. Scharaffa. Adoring mother of Marc Scharaffa and wife Donna of Wakefield, Marie Scharaffa of Melrose, and Lia Pelrine and husband Mathew of Middleton. Cherished grandmother of MaKayla, Giuliana, and Julian. Also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Thursday, Sept. 10th from 4-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick's Parish, 71 Central St., Stoneham on Friday, Sept. 11th at 9AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Past member of St. Patrick's Parish Choir. Former teacher at East Boston Head Start Program and Revere Public Schools, second grade and kindergarten. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Known for her caring, compassionate, and lively spirit, Mary Lee loved children and nature. Generous and giving, she was always happy to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. Mary Lee always made sure to give her very best advice to anyone in need of guidance. Many peoples' lives were touched by her kind and consoling words of wisdom. Mary Lee was raised in Houston, Texas until the age of twelve. She then moved to East Boston, where she met her future husband, Frank Scharaffa. They were married ten years later in 1970. After graduating Boston State Teachers College, Mary Lee became a teacher. She first taught preschool in the Head Start Program in East Boston. She went on to teach second grade and kindergarten in the Revere, MA school system. Past member of St. Patrick's Parish's Choir in Stoneham, MA.