1935 - 2025
She began raising her family in Worcester before relocating to Millbury, Massachusetts, where she spent many years caring for her daughters. Later, Mary moved to Cape Cod, where she found both independence and pride in her work, building a successful career as a hairstylist and proudly owning her own business, Mary’s Beauty Boutique. Eventually, she made her final home in Sutton, Massachusetts, where she remained for the rest of her life.
Mary had a gift for finding happiness in life’s simple pleasures. Bingo nights, Scrabble, tea with the neighborhood “gals,” and, most of all, caring for her grandchildren filled her days. Family was her center, and her love for them was both constant and unconditional. Her home was a place of warmth and welcome, where laughter came easily and help was always offered without hesitation.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Russell Johnson of Millbury, and later shared many loving years with her late husband, John Krula of Sutton.
Mary is survived by her devoted daughters, Patricia Dowd; Linda Johnson and her partner Lynne Banner; and Susan Penner and her husband Michael Penner. She was a proud grandmother to Michael Moore and his fiancée, Sandra Orne; Matthew Moore and his wife Melissa Moore; Michael Penner; and Maxwell Penner. She was also blessed to be a great-grandmother to Madison Moore, Jonathan Moore, Joe Moore, and Michael Moore, and a great-great-grandmother to Cassidy Anderson. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Dolly Collette, and her dearest friend of many years, Marie Stacey, both of whom held an especially meaningful place in her life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 10 A.M. at St. James Church, 89 Main St., South Grafton. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, 380 Providence Road, South Grafton.
Mary will be remembered for her generosity, her easy laughter, and the deep love she gave so freely to those around her. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched and the family she cherished so dearly.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Mary’s name to Diabetes Research, Education, Advocacy | ADA.
