Mary C. (Bistany) Tortora, of Melrose, passed away at Mass General Hospital on February 12, 2015 at the age of 54. Mary was born to Marjorie and the late Donald Bistany in Winchester, MA on February 21, 1960. She was raised in Woburn and attended Woburn schools. Mary furthered her education by achieving a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from St. Elizabeth's School of Nursing. She soon married the love of her life, Michael, and they spent 34 years by each other's side. Nursing was Mary's passion. Her career took her many places throughout the Boston area including Mass General and Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. Besides Nursing, Mary was a loving and passionate Nana to Hayley. She loved spending time with her, bouncing Hayley on her lap and even napping together. Mary had a lot of love to give, and her own children could feel it. She was so proud of them. Her favorite way to spend time with her family was traveling. Her travels included the Carribean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and Florida. Exploring new places and having those memories with her family were what truly made her happy. Mary had another friend who was always by her side, her dog Molly. The two were always together and Molly provided great comfort to Mary. Although she has moved on, she is not forgotten. Her legacy lives on in those she left behind. She was the loving wife to Michael Tortora of Melrose. The devoted mother to Melissa Silva & her husband Jeffrey of Woburn, and to Joseph Tortora of Melrose. Loving daughter of Marjorie and the Late Donald Bistany. Caring sister to Deborah Scrocca and her husband Kenneth of Burlington and Donald Bistany and his wife Rhonda of Maynard. Also Survived by many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition @ http://mbcc.org/breast-cancer-prevention/. Visitation will take place at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose, MA on Thursday Feb. 19, 2015 from 9:00AM to 10:30AM followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church, 55 Herbert St., Melrose, MA at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. .Burial @ Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose.