Memories of Mary go back to 4th thru 6th grade at John Elliot grammar school and it's brand new playground. All of us were transplants from Avery Carter and became part of a group that included Mary, Norma Gottsman, Steve Coren, Jackie Chambers and many others who hung around what we considered fancy playground equipment. But all of us loved the big rock in the playground more than the bars, basketball nets, swings and even the merry- go-round. If the girls got to the rock first, the boys tried to get us off the rock and we girls did the same if the boys claimed the rock before we did. The boys however were more devious than we were and fair to say smarter. They never budged from the rock but they got us to move by saying they'd spin us fast on the merry- go-round. Each time they promised to not grab the rock and each time after spinning us so fast we couldn't get off it, they ran and claimed the rock. We fell for it every time. However before we headed home, genders were put aside and we all ended up on the rock.
Mary was a big part of those happy days for me. Mary and I used to meet whenever we had babies in carriages (earning 10c an hr) and we'd spend as much time as we could just talking about what ever 10 & 11yr old girls talked about in those days. She explained why her house was full of crosses, why she was called “Linda” (her middle name) at home, and her Mom told me about Italian cooking and I being an only child was always envious of her having so many brothers and sisters.
Mary and I went separate ways once we started 7th grade at Pollard Jr. High, but during those years we still bumped into each other at John Elliot on Saturdays, by then we were skipping the rock and sitting on swings while catching up and Mary continued to bring joy and laughter into my young life.
Those times with Mary will always be one of my treasured memories.
Leslea Jenkins
Following is the Obituary I found on-line.
M. Linda (Fucci) Mitchell of Needham died Friday, July 28, 2006, at her home. She was 59. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Waltham, daughter of Louis and Mary (Anzivino) Fucci of Las Vegas. A long time Needham resident, she worked in the town as a day-care provider.
She leaves her husband of 31 years, David A. Mitchell (my note: David passed away 11/20/2008); two sons, Todd P. Mitchell and Scott J. Mitchell, both of Needham; her parents; four brothers, David Fucci of San Jose, Calif., Paul Fucci of Berkeley, Stephen Fucci of Millis and Edward Fucci of Henderson, Nev.; three sisters, Patricia Kennedy of Port Orchard, Wash., Barbara Fucci of Medway and Caroline Sullivan of Franklin; and several nieces and nephews.
Her funeral was held Monday, Aug. 31, from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home of Needham, followed by a funeral Mass at Mary Immaculate of Lords Church in Newton Upper Falls. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery in Needham.
Expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Mitchell's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701-4688.
I remember Mary's amazing eyes. Like looking into a clear, deep, very peaceful but full of life, light blue ocean. I also attended the Elliot School from kindergarten through half-way third 3rd grade, whereupon my family moved from Carter Road to 743 Webster Street, near May Street. I believe that's when I first saw Mary and her deep blue eyes, which always kind of mesmerized me, then later when we were reunited at Pollard. God bless Mary.
Leslea Jenkins (Sennott)
Memories of Mary go back to 4th thru 6th grade at John Elliot grammar school and it's brand new playground. All of us were transplants from Avery Carter and became part of a group that included Mary, Norma Gottsman, Steve Coren, Jackie Chambers and many others who hung around what we considered fancy playground equipment. But all of us loved the big rock in the playground more than the bars, basketball nets, swings and even the merry- go-round. If the girls got to the rock first, the boys tried to get us off the rock and we girls did the same if the boys claimed the rock before we did. The boys however were more devious than we were and fair to say smarter. They never budged from the rock but they got us to move by saying they'd spin us fast on the merry- go-round. Each time they promised to not grab the rock and each time after spinning us so fast we couldn't get off it, they ran and claimed the rock. We fell for it every time. However before we headed home, genders were put aside and we all ended up on the rock.
Mary was a big part of those happy days for me. Mary and I used to meet whenever we had babies in carriages (earning 10c an hr) and we'd spend as much time as we could just talking about what ever 10 & 11yr old girls talked about in those days. She explained why her house was full of crosses, why she was called “Linda” (her middle name) at home, and her Mom told me about Italian cooking and I being an only child was always envious of her having so many brothers and sisters.
Mary and I went separate ways once we started 7th grade at Pollard Jr. High, but during those years we still bumped into each other at John Elliot on Saturdays, by then we were skipping the rock and sitting on swings while catching up and Mary continued to bring joy and laughter into my young life.
Those times with Mary will always be one of my treasured memories.
Leslea Jenkins
Following is the Obituary I found on-line.
M. Linda (Fucci) Mitchell of Needham died Friday, July 28, 2006, at her home. She was 59. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Waltham, daughter of Louis and Mary (Anzivino) Fucci of Las Vegas. A long time Needham resident, she worked in the town as a day-care provider.
She leaves her husband of 31 years, David A. Mitchell (my note: David passed away 11/20/2008); two sons, Todd P. Mitchell and Scott J. Mitchell, both of Needham; her parents; four brothers, David Fucci of San Jose, Calif., Paul Fucci of Berkeley, Stephen Fucci of Millis and Edward Fucci of Henderson, Nev.; three sisters, Patricia Kennedy of Port Orchard, Wash., Barbara Fucci of Medway and Caroline Sullivan of Franklin; and several nieces and nephews.
Her funeral was held Monday, Aug. 31, from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home of Needham, followed by a funeral Mass at Mary Immaculate of Lords Church in Newton Upper Falls. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery in Needham.
Expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Mitchell's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701-4688.
Steve Davis
Thank you, Leslea, for the news.
Gunnard Johnston
I remember Mary's amazing eyes. Like looking into a clear, deep, very peaceful but full of life, light blue ocean. I also attended the Elliot School from kindergarten through half-way third 3rd grade, whereupon my family moved from Carter Road to 743 Webster Street, near May Street. I believe that's when I first saw Mary and her deep blue eyes, which always kind of mesmerized me, then later when we were reunited at Pollard. God bless Mary.