Mary Jane Bourassa

Mary Jane (Engley) Bourassa, 90, of Narragansett, RI, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on Tuesday, January 24. 2023.

Born on September 26, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Clare and Catherine (Rattigan) Engley. Growing up in a large Irish family, her family bonds with her sisters and brothers remained strong throughout a lifetime.

She graduated from Foxboro High School 1950 and attended secretarial school in Boston. Mary worked in Boston as a secretary and when her children were older, she worked in RI in banking.

Traveling to work in Boston, she met her future husband, Norman Bourassa on the daily commuter train. Married in September 1953, together they built their family home in Pawtucket, RI and raised four daughters. Spending time at their cottage at Point Judith, they shared their love of the ocean with their children.

Upon the death of her husband in 2002, Mary moved to Narragansett, RI. She later spent 20 years as the loving companion of Sam Bacchiocchi of Narragansett and Port Saint Lucie, FL.

Mary is survived by her 4 daughters -Linda Valimahomed and her husband, Zahir Valimahomed of San Diego; Brenda Bourassa and her husband, Brian O'Donoghue of Ft. Lauderdale; Susan Panichas and her husband, Peter Panichas of Exeter; Janice Pascone and her husband, Tom Pascone of Cranston. She was the proud and loving grandmother to Erin Hayes, Ali Valimahomed; Alison and Daniel Panichas, Nick and John Pascone. She has 3 great grandchildren – Ryan and Eli Hayes and Mia Valimahomed.

Mary was preceded in death by her brothers – Ralph, John and James Engley and sisters - Ann Rex, Alice Noonan, and Ellen Bearce. She is survived by her sisters-in-law Jeannine Bourassa, Beverly Engley, brothers-in-law William Rex and David Bearce, along with twenty-seven nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

Mary was an avid reader, an enthusiastic knitter and enjoyed mahjong at the Senior Center. She loved listening to the ocean waves and to travel. She and Norman took many road trips across the US with their young family and in later years, cruises to Alaska and the Panama Canal. Mary always enjoyed spending time with her daughters, sons in laws and grandchildren. Many evenings were spent watching the sun set and friendly family card games.

Mary will be remembered for her kind spirit, gentle nature, and positive attitude. But behind the quiet nature, she was funny, intelligent, strong, and unafraid to live life independently.

Friends and family are kindly invited to attend calling hours on Saturday, January 28th from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield, followed by a funeral service at 3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to In-Sight.org which helps the visually impaired and blind to thrive and succeed.

The serviced will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@avery-stortifuneralhome4853/streams