Shrewsbury – Mary Ann (Occhino) Coda, 75, of Shrewsbury, beloved wife of the late Nicholas A. Coda, Passed away peacefully on Monday, September 20, 2021, at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus, Worcester.
Loving mother of Justin F. Coda and his wife Alyson of Auburn. Devoted grandmother of Evan and Lilah Coda.
Mary Ann attended high school in the Bronx and upon graduation secured a position working at Montefiore Hospital for many years that gave her the opportunity to learn a great deal about the health care field. In her later years, she worked in the shipping department of a company dealing with artistic posters. The arts were always another of her passionate interests.
Mary Ann was a genuinely curious person and loved learning new things. She eagerly asked probing questions of those whose knowledge and experience she respected, especially concerning history and politics. She was a supporter of various charities and organizations throughout her life as well as a proud believer in equal rights for all.
Mary Ann was a beloved mother, mother-in- law, grandmother, sister, and friend. Mary Ann attended the Woodstock Festival in 1969 with her future husband Nick and her best friends with whom she would remain close the rest of her life and make up her extended family. She spent three summers in the early 1970’s traveling all over Europe with Nick and her dear friends making memories that lasted a lifetime. Her love of travel flourished when her husband made a career in the travel industry which allowed her and her family to explore many places around the globe and experience different peoples and cultures.
After many years in New York, Mary Ann and her family relocated to Shrewsbury in the early 1990’s and built a colonial home that they loved decorating in classical New England style and creating a garden that was the wonder of the neighborhood. Her friends and family were amazed at their shared expertise in landscaping and enjoyed picking their brains with questions about what to do in their own yards.
Mary Ann and Nick took advantage of all that New England had to offer in terms of culture and scenic beauty and especially enjoyed giving visiting family and friends their expert tours of Boston and the surrounding areas including the coastline towns from the city up to Maine. They loved the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens where Mary Ann placed a bench dedicated to her husband’s memory upon his passing.
In addition to her beloved family she leaves a group of dear friends all of whom miss her presence terribly.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours at the Chiampa Funeral Home-5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center on Friday, October 1, 2021, from 4:00-6:00PM. All are invited to attend her graveside service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston, MA 01505.
