Peabody….

Mary J. "Mae" (Galvin) Mason, age 89, wife of the late Norman J. Mason died early Saturday morning in the North Shore Medical Center following a brief illness.

Born and raised in Peabody the daughter of the late Michael J. and Mary J. (Rourke) Galvin. Mrs. Mason graduated from Peabody High School in the Class of 1935. Following her graduation from high school, Mrs. Mason married her late husband and began her family. A dedicated mother she raised her children and earned her L.P.N. in the 1950's and became employed at the Chelsea Soldier's Home.

Mrs. Mason's nursing career continued at the Chelsea Naval Hospital, J.B. Thomas Hospital in Peabody, Union Hospital, the Philips Nursing Home in Lynn where she was Director of Nurses and the Hunt Nursing Home until her retirement in 1995.

She enjoyed being with her family and being around her home as well as boating and travel. Proud of her Irish heritage, Mrs. Mason enjoyed Irish music and in her travels she had visited Ireland seeing her parent's homesteads. Mrs. Mason was also passionate about animals.

Her survivors include two sons Thomas Mason of Citra, Florida and Ronald Mason of Peabody; three daughters Linda LaBonte of Peabody, Gail Nelson of Atkinson, NH and Margaret Smalios of Westerlo, NY; four sisters Ann Smith of West Palm Beach, FL, Phyllis Hanson of North Carolina, Eleanor Ward of Philadelphia, PA and Pauline Latawic of Salem; 18 grandchildren Ronald Britner, Maryanne Blanchette, Nancy Pilotte, Timothy Nelson, Kathleen Martiniello, Daniel Nelson, Michelle Hafer, Kristen, Thomas Jr., Danielle and Dustin Mason, Melanie, Toni, Ronald Jr., and Vincent Mason, William Summit, and Angela Smalios; twelve great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two daughters Nancy Mason and Kathleen Britner; two brothers John and Frank Galvin; two sisters Lillian Galvin and Katherine Sullivan and two grandchildren Robert Nelson III and Jamie Lee Mason.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday at 9:15 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. at St. Agnes Church, 40 Boston St., Middleton. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 4 to 8 P.M. Interment will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Middleton. For online guest book or additional information please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978 744 0497.