DANVERS - Mary E. (Murtagh) Waselchuk, 91, of Peabody died peacefully on November 23rd, 2023 at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 68 years, John Waselchuk.

Born Mary Ellen Murtagh, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Bella Murtagh. She spent almost her entire life in Peabody. Mary attended St. John's School, graduated from Peabody Veteran Memorial High School in 1949, and received an associate degree from Burdett College where she was crowned Miss Burdett.

After college she was working at Carr Leather when one rainy day, a handsome young man offered her a ride home. The following Saturday was a movie date, and in 1955 Mary and John married and started their journey together. Many adventures followed as her husband's professional baseball career took Mary throughout the country, but Peabody was where they returned to raise their family. They were blessed with two daughters, Ellen Aleixo and Janet Foley.

In 1978, Mary became the first woman elected to the Peabody City Council. She was later elected Councilor at Large and became the first female President of the City Council where she served proudly alongside her brother Frederick Murtagh. Representing the city of Peabody and helping her hometown and neighbors was one of the most fulfilling chapters of Mary's life. For her trailblazing political career, Mary was recently highlighted as one of the First Ladies of Peabody by the Historical Society.

Always active and involved, after retiring from Essex County Administrative Office, Mary earned her real estate license. She had a successful career highlighted by multiple awards while working at Century 21 and Northrup Associates. With her numerous friendships and contacts, Mary was one of the most accomplished real estate professionals on the North Shore.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Ellen Aleixo of Middleton, Janet Foley and her husband, Ed of East Falmouth, granddaughter Abby Hare and her husband, Matthew of Somerville, granddaughter, Katherine Foley of Denver CO, grandsons, John Aleixo of Boston and Edmund Foley of Brookline, great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Charles Hare of Somerville, her beloved brother, Frederick Murtagh of Peabody, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, John Murtagh of Peabody and Michael Murtagh of Rochester, NH.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Mary's Services which will be held on Friday, December 1st, 2023 at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St, (Rte. 62) DANVERS. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:30 am, followed by a memorial service. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial donations may be made to Kaplan Family Hospice House, C/O Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite 102B, Danvers, MA 01923. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

Kaplan Family Hospice House
75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers MA 01923
Web: https://www.caredimensions.org/support-our-mission/ways-to-give/