It is with deep sadness that our family announces the passing of our matriarch, Mary Ann (Connolly) Damiano of East Bridgewater. Mary passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 9,2026, surrounded by the people who she loved the most; her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was 95 years old.

Born in Boston, Mary was the proud daughter of the late Thomas and Ellen (Thornton) Connolly. She grew up in Weymouth and Quincy and was educated in Weymouth parochial schools. As a teenager, Mary loved going to the movies, especially musicals.

In the 1950s, Mary worked for Raytheon in Quincy as a television vacuum tube assembly line inspector. It was there that she met the late Rocco Damiano, whom she married in 1956. Together they moved to Brockton, where Mary lovingly raised her six children.

Mary’s Catholic faith and her children were the most important in her life. Later, she worked at Saint Joseph Manor in Brockton, where she served as the laundry supervisor for 20 years and was honored with the Founder’s Award.

In retirement, Mary remained active and deeply involved in her community. She was a longtime member of the Old Colony YMCA in East Bridgewater and treasured the friendships she made there. In the afternoons, she would often help at her daughter-in-law’s day care, where she was delighted to be known as “everyone’s Nana”.

More importantly, Mary devoted herself to her grandchildren. She never missed an event they were involved in — whether it was a sporting event, concert, recital, award ceremony, or Grandparents Day celebration. She became a staple on the sidelines of the East Bridgewater athletic fields, proudly cheering on her grandchildren at every game.

Mary was a devout communicant of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Bridgewater. She loved history and cherished thoughtful conversations with her children and grandchildren. She was also a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics.

Mary was the loving sister of her brother Thomas Connolly and sister-in-law and dearest friend of the late Rose Marie (Berard) Connolly. She was also the beloved aunt and godmother of the late Michael Connolly.

She is survived by her children: Maryellen Damiano, John and his wife Laurie Damiano, Dominic Damiano all of East Bridgewater; Claire and her husband Robert MacKinnon Jr. of Plymouth; Theresa and her husband Ioannis “John” Tsilis of Bridgewater; and Robert Corley of Pflugerville TX.

When speaking of her grandchildren, Mary often said they were “the loves of her life” and would always be her greatest joy - Meghan, Robert III, Jamie Lee, Molly Anne, Jessica, Michael, Nicholas, Brittany, Steven, Madison, Alexis, and John; as well as her 12 great-grandchildren: Gabriella, Nevaeh, Ava Mary, Dylan, Paxton, Brody, Layla, Drew, Adrian, Theo, Sophia and Ruby.

Mary cherished her nephews as if they were her own sons: Thomas, Edward, James, and Daniel.

She also leaves several dear cousins in South Boston, Chicago, and Furnish, Lettermullan, Co. Galway, Ireland.

In her final years, when Mary could no longer attend Mass, she was deeply grateful for the pastoral services of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish and Catholic TV Network.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic TV, P.O. Box 9196, Watertown, MA 02471; Saint Joseph Manor Nursing Home in Brockton and Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Bridgewater.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Leighton-MacKinnon Funeral Home, 4 West Washington St. Hanson. (corner of RTE 58)

Visiting hours will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026. A Funeral Mass celebrating Mary’s life will be held Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Bridgewater, followed by a private interment at Saint Thomas Aquinas Cemetery.