82; of Dennisport since 1963, formerly of Hyannis and Middleboro until 1949. Passed away at Cape Cod Hospital after a period of failing health.

Wife of Nelson Louis Kierstead (b. November 29, 1913; d. March 26, 1999 at 85 years); they were married in August 1935. Mother of Mary C. Massi (b. July 14, 1936) of Florida. Mother-in-law of Francis "Frankie" Massi (b. November 9, 1933; d. June 2, 2018 at 84 years). Grandmother of Melody (Massi) Alt (b. October 11, 1958 Tokyo, Japan) of Jacksonville, Florida, and Cindy Massi (b. January 10, 1959 Hyannis, MA) of Boston, MA.

Mary worked for the former James Stevens Motel of Hyannis as head of housekeeping and then at the former Cavalier Motel in South Yarmouth for five years in the early 1960's. She retired in the mid 1960's. After her retirement Mary and her husband, Nelson took in foster children, mostly teenagers.

Sister of Ann Theresa (Ditano) Canterbury (b. October 6, 1938; d. August 5, 1995 at 56 years), Eleanor Margaret (Ditano) Belbin (b. March 15, 1910; d. May 10, 2007 at 97 years), Madeline Pasqua (Ditano) Perry (b. October 23, 1918, d. May 16, 2007 at 88 years), and Josephine "Jo" Amelia (Ditano) Bernier (b. April. 17, 1921; d. September 12, 2016 at 95 years).

Predeceased by her grandson John Edward Massi (b. November 11, 1966; d. June 22, 1984 at 17 years), her parents Amelia Silva (Rose) Ditano (b. May 9, 1895; d. October 12, 1938 at 43 years) and Leonardo Vito Ditano (b. February 15, 1887; d. December 5, 1964 at 77 years), her biological father Carmelo "Carmel" Perna (b. June 24, 1881; d. 1957), her grandparents Joseph Silva Rose (b. 1865; d. March 20, 1909 at 44 years) and Mary (Frances) Rose (b. April 10, 1868; d. January 2, 1917 at 48 years), and Rose (Nobile) and Nicolas Vito Ditano, her sisters Frances Ditano (b. January 15, 1915; d. February 3, 1915 at 19 days), Lillian F. Ditano (b. August 2, 1916; d. November 28, 1920 at 4 years), and Rose Marie (Ditano) Coussens (b. November 22, 1908; d. December 23, 1992 at 84 years), and her brothers Edward Ditano (b. January 24, 1931; d. January 27, 1931 at 3 days), John William Ditano (b. April 23, 1926; d. January 17, 1991 at 64 years), and Leonard Nicholas Ditano (b. May 22, 1924; d. April 14, 1992 at 67 years).

Great woman, very kind, thoughtful and giving. Married a man who loved her but was a hard man.

Resurrection Prayer
Most merciful Father, we commend our departed into your hands. We are filled with the sure hope that our departed will rise again on the Last Day with all who have died in Christ. We thank you for all the good things you have given during our departed's earthly life.

O Father, in your great mercy, accept our prayer that the Gates of Paradise may be opened for your servant. In our turn, may we too be comforted by the words of faith until we greet Christ in glory and we are united with you and our departed.
Though Christ our lord, Amen.

From Prayer card.