Mary Hill Canavan

Mary Hill Canavan passed away in her Wellesley home on March 26, 2023, a beautiful Sunday morning, with her beloved husband, Chris by her side. She was surrounded by prayers and well wishes of love and comfort from near and far. 

Born Mary Wood Hill on February 25, 1951 in Boston to Ruth and Dexter B. Hill Jr., she grew up in Needham with her sister Betsey. Mary graduated from Needham High School in 1969 and went on to the University of Vermont where she made lifelong friendships. She spent eight years teaching elementary school in Natick and then went on to work for Boston University Medical School’s continuing education department for a number of years. She was an active volunteer and was President of the Junior League of Boston from 1995-1996, and also served in the Association of Junior Leagues International.

Chris and Mary were married at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church on September 10, 1994. They made their home in Wellesley and spent summers on Cape Cod, in Centerville at the cottage Mary’s grandfather built, and she and Betsey cherished. Mary seamlessly became part of Chris’s family, particularly in the lives of his children, Elizabeth Mulhern (Michael) and Michael Canavan (Nancy). Chris and Mary traveled the world together, exploring and experiencing new places and cultures. Mary was a member of Brae Burn Country Club and Cummaquid Golf Club.

Mary’s strong faith and ability to frame important issues led her to serve in many leadership positions at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, including three years in the Office of Moderator. Serving as an internal consultant and facilitator, Mary was instrumental in the church’s strategic planning and visioning process. She was active in creating faith formation programs, co-led a weekly meditation and prayer group for many years, and worked to promote racial justice and policies affirming diversity, equity and inclusion. Mary’s spiritual path led her to earn a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies at Andover Newton Theological School in 2017. Her studies included a trip to Myanmar, where she gained a deeper understanding of the culture, and the benefits of meditation from Buddhist monks. 

Through her strong bond with her sister, Betsey, Mary had very special relationships with each of her three nieces, Meghan, Kate and Molly. She loved and cared for them and created magic through experiences and imagination for them, their children, Mac, Gus, Sean, Robbie and Finn, and Chris’s grandchildren, Kevin, Matthew, Clare, Katie, Chris, and Patrick. And all loved her dearly.

By any measure, Mary lived a beautiful life. In the relationships she fostered with care and intention, in how she saw the world, and in the art she created and appreciated. Mary lived each day how she wanted to be remembered. She was kind, thoughtful, generous and beautiful - inside and out. Mary found beauty in the simplicity of life. She loved nature and tiny wonders, like snowdrops and sand dollars. She loved her labs, Sudzy, Gracie and Lola, and found great joy in walks through the woods or on the beach.

Mary is survived by her husband, M. Christopher Canavan; her sister, Betsey Fitzgerald and husband, Michael; her nieces: Meghan Monaco and husband, Christopher, Katherine Barrett and husband, Henry, and Molly Climo and husband, Justin; grandnephews, Sean and Robert Monaco, Michael and Angus Barrett and Finnian Climo; her sister-in-law, Mary Jo Dwyer; Chris’ children, Michael Canavan and wife, Nancy, and Elizabeth Mulhern and husband, Michael; Chris’ grandchildren, Katherine, Christopher and Patrick Canavan and Kevin, Matthew and Clare Mulhern. She leaves many cherished friends, meaningful relationships and lives she made better.

Visiting hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, on Tuesday, April 4th from 4-7pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.

All are welcome to celebrate Mary’s life at 11am on Wednesday, April 5th at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, 207 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02481.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mary’s memory to the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church (Faith or Social Justice Initiatives) 207 Washington Street, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481, or to the Home for Little Wanderers, Attn: Development Dept., 10 Guest St., Boston, MA 02135. 

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