Mary Emery Messenger

After a brief illness, Mary E. Messenger of Marblehead died October 2 at the age of 96. A graduate of Katherine Gibbs, Mrs. Messenger worked as a secretary in Chelsea before getting married. She then moved to Marblehead, where she and her husband Herb raised 5 children and lived for more than 50 years. Mary's life was focused on family and relatives, and she gave much to others and spent little on herself. It was well known that anything given to her would promptly be divided and given away, and that she got great pleasure out of doing this. She truly loved helping people in any way she could, including (under the pen name "clippings") answering many questions written into the Boston Globe's C onfidential Chat. Mary was a member of the Marblehead Womens Club for many years and was also an avid reader. She especially liked poetry and songs, and frequently recited favorite poems by memory to her children until just before her death. She is survived by two daughters, Ellen (of Arlington) and Ann (of Gloucester), and two sons, Herb (of Stow) and John (of Marblehead) - to her great regret, husband Herb predeceased her by several years, and also son Emery (of Tinton Falls, NJ) about a year ago. Mary also leaves 5 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Mary's favorite charities, the Plummer Home for Boys, in Salem (see www.plummerhome.org ). A small graveside ceremony will be held at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead later in October.