Mary F. Holland, 79, was born on May 1, 1942 to Helen and Stephen Ford of Nashua, NH and passed away peacefully on August 26, 2021. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Nashua, NH with the Class of 1959. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in elementary education at Rivier University, Class of 1963. Mary earned her Master’s Degree from Rivier University in 1978 with a concentration in Learning Disabilities and Special Education. Teaching was her passion, especially Special Education, where most of her career was spent. Mary taught for over 40 years until her retirement in 2012, spending the majority of those years in Nashua, Hudson, and Wilton-Lyndeborough school districts.
Prior to having children, Mary and her husband, Bill, lived abroad in Toronto, Canada, and Brussels, Belgium from 1968 – 1972 traveling to over seventeen countries. Her time living and traveling across Europe was always a very fond memory. In 1973, Mary was included in “Outstanding Young Women of America”, which recognizes individuals with outstanding abilities, accomplishments and service to the community.
Having three daughters was the greatest joy of Mary’s life. She took great pride in all of their many accomplishments. She especially enjoyed spending time with them and cherished her time with her grandchildren; Caleb, Jacob, Ashley and Gabriel. Mary is predeceased by her husband, William (Bill); her parents Helen and Stephen Ford; and cousins, Nancy and Richard Corson. Mary is survived by her three daughters; Maureen Lemay and her husband, Justin, and their children, Caleb and Jacob, of Merrimack, NH; Megan Moon and her husband, Jarrod, and their children, Ashley and Gabriel of Stoneham, MH; Melissa Holland of Watertown, MA: and four sisters-in-law, several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Mary will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Farwell Funeral Home, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. Friends and family are cordially invited to attend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 9 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 216 E Dunstable Rd, Nashua. Interment to follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Rt 102, Hudson. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Mary’s memory to either Bridges by Epoch of Nashua, 575 Amherst St, Nashua, NH 03063 or to Merrimack Home Health and Hospice, 7 Executive Park Dr, Merrimack, NH 03054. Due to the current global pandemic, the family of Mary requests that all guests to please kindly wear a mask at all events. Arrangements under the direction of FARWELL Funeral Service.
