Obituary of Mary M. Ventura

Mary M. (Reis) Ventura, 94, a longtime resident of Woburn, passed away on Saturday morning, April 12, 2025.  She was the beloved wife of the late Francis J. “Frank” Ventura. Born and raised in Somerville, she was the daughter of the late Manuel, and the late Eliza (Cabral) Reis.

After working at Sylvania Industries in Woburn for many years, Mary decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. In 1978, at the age of 48, her dream came to fruition when she graduated from North Shore Community College as a Registered Nurse.  Over the course of her career, she worked at the former New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham, and later at the Aberjona Nursing Home in Winchester.

Family was always the center of Mary’s world. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and cousin. She loved hosting her grandchildren for pool parties and cookouts, with her husband at the grill. “Grammie” showered them with gifts for birthdays and every possible occasion. Eventually she was blessed with 4 great grandchildren, who gave her great joy.

Holidays were among her favorite occasions to celebrate and entertain! She enjoyed preparing traditional Portuguese Foods along with her husband and delighted in sharing these special dishes with family.

Mary loved to travel. After retirement she enjoyed many cruises with her husband, visiting Europe, Alaska, and The Panama Canal, to name a few.  When her husband passed away, her daughter Elizabeth became her travel companion. Together they visited the Holy Land, Jordan, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean, among other places.

Mary spent her final years at Country Club Heights in Woburn, where she made many dear friends.  She enjoyed an active lifestyle with activities including singing, Wii bowling, bingo, creative arts, and a nightly glass of wine in the pub.

Mary is survived by two daughters, Marie Hannus and her husband Donald of Tewksbury, and Elizabeth Ventura of Beverly and Washington, DC; two granddaughters, Carolyn Carpenter and her husband Jeffrey of Sudbury, and Christine Spelman and her husband Peter of Reading; and four great grandchildren, Jason and Nicole Spelman, and Anna and Sophia Carpenter.  She is also survived by one sister, Bernadette Cameron and her husband Malcolm of Deerfield, N.H.; two brothers, William Reis of Littleton, and Joseph Reis of Westford; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister Laura Michaud, her sister Margaret Nardone and husband Albert Nardone, and sister-in-law Mary Rosa and her husband James.

Visiting hours will be at the Arthur P. Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn on Saturday, April 26th from 9:00-10:30 am, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester at 11:00 am.  Burial will be at the Tewksbury Cemetery in Tewksbury.

Mary’s family would like to recognize the outstanding care she received from both the Hospice and Private Homecare teams at Visiting Nurse and Community Care (VNCC).  In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions be made in her memory, by check to VNCC, 37 Broadway Arlington, MA 02474; or online at https://www.thevisitingnurses.com/