Mary Elizabeth (Coppola) Devine

Mary Elizabeth (Coppola) Devine, of Hingham, died peacefully and surrounded by family on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She was 90.

Mary was the beloved wife of the late Walter Anthony Devine, Jr., who died in 2002; together they shared over 45 loving years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Margaret D. “Meg” Ingalls and her husband Edmund of Brookfield, NH and Mimi E. Grotto and her partner Carlo Meneghin of Newport, RI. Mary was the loving grandmother of Abigail D. Ingalls and her partner Chad Gray of Charlestown. She was the dear sister of Joseph Coppola and his wife Susan of Jamaica Plain, the late Eleanor Brown, and late John Coppola and his surviving wife Martha Harley of Boston. Mary was the dear sister-in-law of Madeleine Corcoran of Brookline. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Mary was born in Boston in 1933, daughter of the late Angelo R. and Margaret (Ronan) Coppola. She was raised in Jamaica Plain and pursued an undergraduate degree at Regis College before starting her teaching career.

Her pride and joy with respect to “la famiglia” came in many forms: sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend.  Her birth order was reflected in her position as the “matriarch” of the family.  She took great joy in watching her younger siblings thrive, and delighted in planning trips with her sister Eleanor, especially to Italy.  Her relationship with Walter was full of joy, boating trips, travel, and building a nurturing home in Canton for their “girls”.  As a devoted mother to Meg and Mimi, she took great pride in both of her daughters’ successes and their respective commitment to family instilled by her.  Loving grandmother to Abi, she was present for activities ranging from mundane daily commuting to significant milestones such as graduations.  Similarly, she treated friends as if they were family – showing unwavering commitment to her friends in Canton, Hingham, and elsewhere.

Her commitment to the field of education far exceeded the demands of teaching accounting and business.  Offering a role model for students was a key tenet of what she hoped to achieve each day walking into Canton High School.  Beyond her commitment to the students, she brought camaraderie to the school staff and enthusiasm for the profession by encouraging others to pursue teaching as a career.  Insistent on keeping her mind sharp after retiring from teaching, she found intellectual stimulation in helping various small business-owners with accounting services.

Her enthusiasm for socializing with persons of all ages and backgrounds kept her young. Above all, she was always excited to rejoice all of life’s moments, big and small, choosing the perfect fashion ensemble for the occasion and celebrating with cocktail shrimp and cake.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Friday, November 10, 2023, 9:30-10:30 AM in Church of the Resurrection, 1057 Main St., Hingham.

Mary’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 10:30 AM, in Church of the Resurrection, 1057 Main St., Hingham.

Interment is private.

DUE TO FLORAL RESTRICTIONS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Mary’s name to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Mission Grammar School, 94 St. Alphonsus St., Boston, MA 02120.