Mary V. (Gentile) Corliss

**Mary Veronica (Gentile) Corliss**, age 88, of Leominster, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024, surrounded by her family. She will be dearly missed by her surviving family members, including her three children: Lydia Biasi and her husband, John, of Lancaster; John Gentile and his wife, Kristine, of Hanover; and Maria Hinkson and her husband, Guy, of West Boylston. She also leaves behind her five stepchildren: Steven Corliss and his wife, Linda, of Gardner; David Corliss and his wife, Belkis, of Leominster; Rick Corliss and his wife, Marilyn, of Leominster; Allison Serina of Portsmouth, RI; and Sharon Iaquinta and her husband, Frank, of Worcester. Mary is survived by 22 grandchildren, spanning from New England to California, and 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her three brothers: Butchie Bowe and his wife, Mickey, of Quincy; Donald Bowe and his wife, Charlotte, of Jacksonville, FL; and Robert Bowe of Plymouth, MA, along with over 100 nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husbands, Frank Gentile, her husband of 24 years, who passed in 1987, and Richard Corliss, her second husband of 34 years, who passed on August 3, 2024. She was also predeceased by seven brothers, three sisters, several nieces and nephews, and her parents, Lydia and Gerald Bowe.

Born on March 18, 1936, Mary was the 10th of 14 children. Growing up in a large family had its challenges but was filled with love and laughter. Mary married in 1964 and moved to Newton with her first husband, Frank Gentile, where she lived, worked, and raised her three children for 25 years. After Frank’s passing in 1987, she married Richard in 1990, gaining five more children and many grandchildren. Mary and Richard retired in 1996, moving to The Villages, FL, where they enjoyed 12 years of dream retirement before returning home to be closer to their growing family. In 2016, Mary volunteered for an Alzheimer's study at Brigham and Women's Hospital. For five years, she traveled monthly to Boston for infusions and underwent numerous cognitive and medical tests to help future generations battle the disease.

Mary was a generous friend, devoted wife and mother, and a proud and loving "Mimi" to her grandchildren, who were her greatest joy. She had a special love for dogs and children, especially babies, and always kept a box of dog treats for her grand-puppies. Mary lit up every room she entered, often announcing her arrival with a loud and boisterous "Hello, everybody!" She was the life of the party and the glue that kept her large family connected. In her later years, she became a source of comfort and companionship to many friends and relatives in their time of need. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A Mass of Christian Burial in Mary's honor will be held at Holy Family of Nazareth Church, 750 Union Street, Leominster, on Monday, October 7th, at 10 a.m. A private burial will take place at a later date in Waltham, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Wright-Roy Funeral Home, Inc., 109 West Street, Leominster, is directing the arrangements. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.wrightroyfuneralhome.com

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