Obituary for Mary Roberta (Muldoon) Parisi
Mary Roberta Muldoon Parisi of Underhill Center, VT passed away on Friday, September 9, 2022 with her family by her side at the age of 93. Mary was born in St. Albans, VT on July 14, 1929. The daughter of Harold and Vera Muldoon.
Mary graduated from St. Mary’s H.S. in St. Albans. Her ambition & desire for travel brought her to NYC where she worked for Reader’s Digest and an emotional care facility at the young age of 18. She returned to VT to attend Bishop DeGoesbriand Hospital School of Nursing and earned her degree as a Registered Nurse in 1951. After graduating, she began her private duty nursing career in Burlington. A blind date with a handsome Air Force airman destined Mary’s next 70 years! On November 1, 1952 she married Matthew J. Parisi of Philadelphia, PA and started their journey together. Matt was assigned to Fontainebleau, France where Mary joined him and continued her private duty work as an RN in Paris. With great joy, their two oldest children were born in France. Mary & Matt treasured their memories of traveling throughout Europe.
Returning to the U.S. in 1955, Mary and Matt settled in Underhill Ctr. where they raised their family. Two additional children made a perfect family of 6! Mary made motherhood look easy. Her passion for children made all of our lives effortless. Mom lived and breathed “unconditional love”. She put her children first, even if it meant snowmobiling at night into our camp in 4 feet of fresh snow at -20 degrees! She was an absolute trooper in all family (and Dad’s crazy) adventures!
After raising her family, Mary continued her career as a nurse for the VT Department of Health and then as a special education nurse for the So. Burlington School district. Her passion for being an advocate for children with special needs was a dream for her and she excelled at it. Mary’s interest in helping children with epilepsy led her to volunteer and serve on the Board, including a term as Vice President, of the Epilepsy Foundation of VT for over 30 years. She received several awards for outstanding support and dedication to the Foundation. In 2011-2012 she received the National Association of Professional Women’s “Woman of the Year” award.
Mary was a loyal, nurturing, loving person to her family, lifelong friends, neighbors, the children she worked with, and her Catholic church where she played organ for over a decade. She went above and beyond to cook (perfecting learned Italian recipes) and provide for whoever came to her family’s table. She adored animals, and had an absolute passion for reading. She never met a crossword puzzle she couldn’t finish! Mary loved to travel and learn. Her intelligence outweighed her sarcasm by a wee bit! She found peace at her vacation homes on Newark Pond, VT and in New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Mary is survived by her loving husband Matthew J. Parisi Sr. of 69 years, children Mindy and husband Ernie Eldred, Cathy Weymouth and partner Bob Linde, Matt Jr. and partner Starr McGregor, Roberta and partner Brian O’Toole. Grandchildren Dustin Aldrich and Daiana, Matthew Parisi and wife Jennifer, Maria Weymouth, Brad Weymouth and wife Jamie, Dominique Senna and husband Joshua, Francesca Parisi and Jason, David Parisi and Madie, and great grandchildren Elsie, Austin, and Evelyn Weymouth. Mary is survived by her sister Patricia and husband Paul Poquette. Mary was predeceased by her grandson Benjamin Gabriel Parisi, brother Harold Muldoon, and parents Vera and Harold Muldoon.
Mary’s family would like to extend praise and gratitude to Mindy and Ernie for their endless acts of love, compassion, and sacrifice taking care of our mom in the final years of her life. Mom holds your kindness forever in her heart and is eternally grateful! A warm thank you to her care team including Carol (Griswold Home Care), Anne, Lise, Betsy, and Claire (Lamoille Home Health and Hospice), Susan, and Laura Felsted DO.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday September 22, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at A W Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel. A Mass will be celebrated on Friday September 23, 2022, 10:30 am at St. Thomas Church in Underhill Center concelebrated by Reverend Richard Calapan and Reverend Christopher Micale. Inurnment will follow in the family lot in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Underhill, Ctr. A celebration of Mary’s life will follow at Matt & Mary’s home on Corbett Road.
Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made to VERMONT FAMILY NETWORK or to MAKE-A-WISH Foundation of Vermont or Vermont Catholic Charities. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.
Mary graduated from St. Mary’s H.S. in St. Albans. Her ambition & desire for travel brought her to NYC where she worked for Reader’s Digest and an emotional care facility at the young age of 18. She returned to VT to attend Bishop DeGoesbriand Hospital School of Nursing and earned her degree as a Registered Nurse in 1951. After graduating, she began her private duty nursing career in Burlington. A blind date with a handsome Air Force airman destined Mary’s next 70 years! On November 1, 1952 she married Matthew J. Parisi of Philadelphia, PA and started their journey together. Matt was assigned to Fontainebleau, France where Mary joined him and continued her private duty work as an RN in Paris. With great joy, their two oldest children were born in France. Mary & Matt treasured their memories of traveling throughout Europe.
Returning to the U.S. in 1955, Mary and Matt settled in Underhill Ctr. where they raised their family. Two additional children made a perfect family of 6! Mary made motherhood look easy. Her passion for children made all of our lives effortless. Mom lived and breathed “unconditional love”. She put her children first, even if it meant snowmobiling at night into our camp in 4 feet of fresh snow at -20 degrees! She was an absolute trooper in all family (and Dad’s crazy) adventures!
After raising her family, Mary continued her career as a nurse for the VT Department of Health and then as a special education nurse for the So. Burlington School district. Her passion for being an advocate for children with special needs was a dream for her and she excelled at it. Mary’s interest in helping children with epilepsy led her to volunteer and serve on the Board, including a term as Vice President, of the Epilepsy Foundation of VT for over 30 years. She received several awards for outstanding support and dedication to the Foundation. In 2011-2012 she received the National Association of Professional Women’s “Woman of the Year” award.
Mary was a loyal, nurturing, loving person to her family, lifelong friends, neighbors, the children she worked with, and her Catholic church where she played organ for over a decade. She went above and beyond to cook (perfecting learned Italian recipes) and provide for whoever came to her family’s table. She adored animals, and had an absolute passion for reading. She never met a crossword puzzle she couldn’t finish! Mary loved to travel and learn. Her intelligence outweighed her sarcasm by a wee bit! She found peace at her vacation homes on Newark Pond, VT and in New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Mary is survived by her loving husband Matthew J. Parisi Sr. of 69 years, children Mindy and husband Ernie Eldred, Cathy Weymouth and partner Bob Linde, Matt Jr. and partner Starr McGregor, Roberta and partner Brian O’Toole. Grandchildren Dustin Aldrich and Daiana, Matthew Parisi and wife Jennifer, Maria Weymouth, Brad Weymouth and wife Jamie, Dominique Senna and husband Joshua, Francesca Parisi and Jason, David Parisi and Madie, and great grandchildren Elsie, Austin, and Evelyn Weymouth. Mary is survived by her sister Patricia and husband Paul Poquette. Mary was predeceased by her grandson Benjamin Gabriel Parisi, brother Harold Muldoon, and parents Vera and Harold Muldoon.
Mary’s family would like to extend praise and gratitude to Mindy and Ernie for their endless acts of love, compassion, and sacrifice taking care of our mom in the final years of her life. Mom holds your kindness forever in her heart and is eternally grateful! A warm thank you to her care team including Carol (Griswold Home Care), Anne, Lise, Betsy, and Claire (Lamoille Home Health and Hospice), Susan, and Laura Felsted DO.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday September 22, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at A W Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel. A Mass will be celebrated on Friday September 23, 2022, 10:30 am at St. Thomas Church in Underhill Center concelebrated by Reverend Richard Calapan and Reverend Christopher Micale. Inurnment will follow in the family lot in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Underhill, Ctr. A celebration of Mary’s life will follow at Matt & Mary’s home on Corbett Road.
Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made to VERMONT FAMILY NETWORK or to MAKE-A-WISH Foundation of Vermont or Vermont Catholic Charities. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.