Mary Lucy Buteau

Pawtucket- Mary Lucy Buteau (King), 98, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on November 22, 2024.

She was the beloved wife for 65 years of the late Ralph C.

Buteau and the cherished mother of Dianne Connor, and her husband Frank, of Naples, Florida, and LuAnn Fitzgerald of West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

She was the loving grandmother of Garrett Fitzgerald and his wife, Leigh of Whitman, Massachusetts.

Born and raised in the Pleasant Street neighborhood of Pawtucket, Mary was the daughter of the late Albert and Maria King (Sariva).

Mary was raised in a community rich in Portuguese tradition.

She could regale you with stories of growing up in what is now downtown Pawtucket and the vibrancy of that area in the 40’s and 50’s.

She had an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of Pawtucket and would often reminisce about the influence that the Portuguese American Club played in her younger years.

Mary attended Pawtucket schools and upon graduation worked for the Sydney Blumenthal Textile Company where she met and then married the love of her life.

A woman of great faith, Mary was an active parishioner at Saint Leo the Great Church in Pawtucket.

While raising her daughters, she led the Girl Scout and Brownie programs at St.

Leo’s, serving for many years in various roles as a troop leader and cookie chairperson.

During this time, and for many years thereafter, Mary and her husband were active in the Pawtucket YMCA serving on numerous boards and committees involving their family and competitive swim programs.

Mary worked in various capacities while raising her family.

Most recently, she worked as a phlebotomist for the Pawtucket Heart Health Program, where she traveled to hospitals in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts to conduct research and interview patients regarding the prevention of coronary artery disease.

Upon her retirement, Mary and her husband traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada visiting countless national parks and following the Mission Church Trail in California.

They spent their winters in North Fort Myers, Florida where they enjoyed the mild Southwest Florida climate and hosted family and friends.

As a doting grandmother, Mary and her husband never missed a sporting event involving their grandson.

From Little League events to college football games they would be at every game cheering for him and his teammates.

They were fondly and consistently referred to by the parents and coaches as the team’s greatest fans.

Mary enjoyed nothing more than gathering her family together, no matter the occasion.

She had the unique ability to make an ordinary day extraordinary, and very special, through her caring and thoughtful ways.

Her family will forever treasure the beautiful photo albums she created depicting the holidays, vacations, and special times they shared together.

Mary lived her life with grace and her 98 years with us reflect a full and rich life.

She instilled in her daughters the value of an education and the belief that they could achieve whatever they desired.

She will forever be remembered for her kindness, strength, devotion to her family, her solid advice on just about any subject, and most of all, her unconditional love.

She will be missed by her family and loved ones more than any words could ever adequately express.

In addition to her daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren she is survived by her very dear brother, Theodore King, her wonderful godchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews to whom she was affectionately known as both Aunt Mary and Tia Lucy.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Joao Rei and Americo King.

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in St.

John Paul II Parish of St.

Cecila Church, 755 Central Ave., Pawtucket.

Interment with her late husband will follow at Mount St.

Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket.

Visitation and floral tributes are respectfully omitted.

Memorial donations to St.

John Paul II Parish of St.

Cecilia Church would be greatly appreciated.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted with WILLIAM W.

TRIPP Funeral Home, Pawtucket.

Online condolences welcomed at www.trippfuneralhome.com