Mary Cordeiro

Groton — Mary E. (Hennessy) Cordeiro, 81, recently of Groton, wife of 58 years to Rodney R. Cordeiro, peacefully entered God’s embrace Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018.

Born in Acushnet, Mass., she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Stone) Hennessy. She graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1955 where she initially met her future husband and life’s companion. She had an associate’s degree from Three River’s Community College and prior to living in Groton, Mary resided in Stonington for 52 years.

Mary was an accomplished dancer and dance teacher, a dedicated mother, and enthusiastic Gramma and devoted herself to volunteering at St. Mary Church and being an integral part of the spiritual community. Well read in literature, she loved her Sunday crossword puzzle. Her voice graced the Mystic River Chorale for 10 years, and while a member she and Rod traveled to Europe, singing in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 1995 and Belgium and France in 1997. She has a great circle of family and friends that gave her much joy, and co-owned Faith Books and Gifts in Westerly during the 1990s. A unique soul, she had a sharp wit and a great belly-laugh. Mary loved to cook, her vibrant garden was a delight to all, and many are warmed by her beautiful knitted creations. She will be greatly missed.

In addition to her husband, she leaves her four children, Raymond Cordeiro and his wife, Deborah, of Stonington, Daniel Cordeiro and his wife, Annie, of Canton, Mass., Rosemary Kamireddy and her husband, Nagireddy, of Preston and Susan Bradley and her husband, Jack, of Old Saybrook; seven grandchildren, Brittany, Andrew, Genevieve and James Brenton Cordeiro, Nicholas Kamireddy and Madeline and Joseph Bradley; a brother-inlaw, Leo Cordeiro and his wife, Maria, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and one grand-dog, Pippin.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at the Mystic Funeral Home on Route 1 in Mystic. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Church in Stonington. Following the Mass, she will be buried at St. Mary Cemetery, Stonington.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to St. Mary Church Building Fund, 95 Main St., Stonington, CT 06378.