Mary Rose Ross, 95, of Marion MA. passed away after a brief illness on May 13, 2023.
Born in Brighton, MA. on July 18, 1927, daughter of the late Charlotte and John Doherty, she is survived by her daughter Valerie Ross of Medford, MA., a large extended family and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved sons James and Gregory and her siblings: John, William, Charlotte, Fred, and Paul.
As a young girl, Mary attended St. Joseph’s Academy in Brighton, where she was encouraged to pursue her love of drawing. She went on to study painting at Massachusetts College of Art & Design from 1945 to 1948. Throughout her artistic journey, she explored a variety of mediums such as oils, acrylics, printmaking and designing compilations of found objects before discovering her passion for paper collages. Her collage work includes calming birches, swaying palm trees, seascapes, vases filled with flowers, quirky owls and mythical mermaids and have been shown in galleries from Florida to Maine. Prior to her retirement, Mary worked as the Art Director for Boston Parks & Recreation Department, teaching art to adults and children throughout the city.
Introduced to Marion in the early 60’s, when she vacationed at her brother’s summer home at Dexter Beach, she fell in love with this budding summer community, purchasing property and building a small cottage of her own. She joined the local art scene, volunteering at the Marion Art Center, helping with the Sidewalk Art Series, serving on the Hanging Committee and in a variety of other capacities. In 2018, Mary introduced monthly art shows at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center where professional and amateur artists are welcomed and encouraged to display their art work. In July 2022, Mary was honored with a retrospective show, “60 Years of Art” by the Marion Art Center.
Mary will be remembered as a teacher and mentor by many fledgling artists in the Marion Community. Family, friends and neighbors cherish her memory as a generous and kind person with a quick Irish wit. A memorial service is being planned by her family for a later date. Donations may be made in her memory to Marion’s Council on Aging at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street, Marion, Massachusetts 02738.
I just heard about Mary’s death. I am so sorry about her passing. She was my Collage teacher for many years and we had a wonderful and constant group. I really enjoyed and now miss those times and her talent and friendship.
She was a cousin and my babysitter for a summer. My dad build two of the Marion houses. I remember Dexter beach with fondness. I also remember the birch trees.