Mary L. Scalli Obituary

Mary Leonice (Jenks) Scalli, 89, departed this life on May 26, 2024, after a short illness. She left so much love, laughter and wisdom behind for family and friends to cherish. She was the beloved daughter of the late Grace Arabella (Deering) Jenks and Michael Leo Jenks.

Born in Stoneham, MA on June 9, 1934, and raised in Charlestown, MA, she considered herself a "Townie" of the best kind, full of energy, resourcefulness, and a great sense of humor and Irish pride.

Born during the Depression, she worked in various Boston factories, as many young women at that time did. In 1958, Mary was proud to have assembled prototype electronic components which later would be used in the first human space flight program, Project Mercury. She quickly rose to supervisory positions at whatever job she was given, due to her great energy and strong work ethic.

In 1953 in Boston, she married the love of her life Frank Scalli, beginning a marriage that would last 51 years, until his passing in 2004. In 1969, the family moved to Gloucester, MA, with their five young children and Frank's beloved mother. It became home for them and the next two generations who followed.

Mary was the driving force behind every success her husband would achieve. Frank became an undersea pioneer and educator, a colleague and friend of the explorer Jacques Cousteau and his family. He became the National Sales Director of the AquaLung Diving Company.

During those years, Mary and Frank entertained legendary undersea photographers, writers, astronauts, scientists and educators from their Bay View home, and later at their home on the Annisquam River.

Mary was the ultimate hostess and organizer all while simultaneously raising five children who adored her. Family was always the center of her life. Never shy, always encouraging, Mary was always available to listen and pass along sage advice to family and strangers alike. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and any friends who were lucky to know her, benefited from her wisdom. In her own words, "I would have made a great therapist.". She was infinitely more.

She was a force of nature, a true original. She cooked, gardened her beautiful roses, and loved having big summer cookouts at their river home. At family celebrations, Mary was usually the first to dance. Thanks to her, all her children can dance the jitterbug. She loved the 1940's Big Bands, her father having been a drummer during that era. She and Frank danced at the old Revere Beach Ballroom as a young couple. Being Irish and English, she loved a rainstorm, beautiful roses, a good cup of tea, or a lovely glass of wine.

Over the years, Mary and Frank traveled to Italy, France, Hawaii, and many of the Caribbean Islands. She and daughter Kathleen traveled to Ireland to visit Mary's ancestral counties.

She is survived by her five beloved children, Kathleen Scalli and husband David Hill, Patrick Scalli (Karen Mackey) Mary Scalli Hand and husband Ted, Eileen Scalli Badgewick and husband John, Frank Scalli (Kristen Spadafora); grandchildren, Elizabeth MacKenzie (Joseph Allen), Collin MacKenzie and wife Antonietta, Molly Karcher and husband Jake, Nicholas Crosen, Frank Crosen and wife Danielle, Brian Harnish (Soliana Goldrich), Michael Harnish, Makalya, Jaqueline, and Kylie Scalli; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Carson and Landon VanKnowe, Nyelle MacKenzie, Ava and Ella MacKenzie, Zachary, Abigail and Chloe Karcher, Malia and Finn Crosen, Audra and Anthony Crosen, Frank Scalli Crosen II and his sisters, Brigette and Audrey Stumper. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Frank and her siblings, Joseph Jenks, James Jenks, John Jenks, Katherine Jenks D'Angelis, and Theresa Jenks Leone; and grandchildren, Anthony and Joseph Crosen and Colleen Harnish.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Putnam Farm Assisted Living in Danvers where Mary lived for the last 2 years. Their friendship, kindness, and care made her time there very special.

Thank you also to Kaplan Family House in Danvers for their care of Mom in her last few days. Their professionalism and support made an impossibly difficult time easier.

A visitation will be held at Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, in the early afternoon. Hours will be announced shortly. Burial will immediately follow at Seaside Cemetery, 88R Langsford Street, Gloucester.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Salvation Army or the Boys and Girls Clubs of America would be appreciated. They were Mary's favorite charities.