Mary M. (Gillet) Lajoie, 64, of North Oxford and for many years of Leicester, entered into eternal life on February 11, 2022.

It is with profound sadness that we announce her passing. Her kindness, grace, and faith touched many lives and the grief at her passing is felt by many in the community.

Mary went home to our Lord on Friday during the hour of Divine Mercy, surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted wife to her husband David for 44 years and the beloved mother of Melanie, Melissa, Margaret, and Jonathan. She was also, most importantly, the cherished Nana of Lindsey, Jamison and Anderson.

She will be remembered for her strong faith in God and her daily devotion to the rosary and the writings of the Divine Will through Luisa Piccarreta. Her children remember how she and Dad loved to take walks in nature and especially enjoyed feeding the chickadees. Mom made sure that each of her children and grandchildren was able to share in the incredible experience of a tiny-winged creature landing on their finger eating seeds from their hand. We will all miss hearing her sing the beautiful hymns that moved her soul, especially the Ave Maria. The grandchildren knew their Nana as a wonderful storyteller who could weave an exciting adventure from the simple things in life, and we are fortunate that several of her stories were written down.

Mom chose to use many of her final days making small gifts for her loved ones crafted from her natural artistic ability – most are beautiful paintings that each of us will treasure forever as a reminder of both her creativity and inexhaustible generosity of spirit.

Her aim was to be a living example of her love for God, family, and community. We can safely say that she achieved this end, and that her presence will be greatly missed at St. Ann’s parish and the Twin Elms Community where she lived. We are deeply grateful to the loving neighbors and friends that were so supportive of Mom and Dad during the past year.

She had recently retired as the Administrative Assistant at St. Ann’s Church in North Oxford, a position she served with great love and dedication for seven years. We truly appreciate the caring support she received from her pastor Fr. Michael Lavallee, parishioners and the St. Vincent de Paul Society during her illness.

Everyone is invited, the night before the funeral, to St Ann’s Church, 652 Main Street, North Oxford on Monday, February 14, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. to pray the rosary which will be followed by a sharing of memories.
The Funeral Mass to celebrate her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at St. Ann’s Church. Those attending are respectfully requested to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.Memorial donations may be made to St. Ann Church, P.O. Box 488, North Oxford, MA 01537. Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.