WESTFIELD — Mary Jane (Stevens) Pierce, 93, of Westfield, died Wednesday at Genesis Nursing Home in Westfield. She was born November 16, 1926 in Gloversville, NY, daughter of the late Martin and Lillian (Burns) Stevens, and graduated from Gloversville High School in 1945. In June, 1948 she married her childhood friend and neighbor, Donald C. Pierce, the love of her life, and they shared 56 wonderful years together before his passing in 2004. They moved to Westfield in the 1950s where they raised their two sons, Steven and Kurt, and were successful in the home construction and carpentry businesses, first as Pierce Brothers Construction and then as Don Pierce Roofing and Carpentry. Mary, in addition to her duties as mother and homemaker, ran the office, answering calls from customers and subcontractors and keeping the financial records. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Westfield for over 60 years, teaching Sunday school, participating in its Women’s Fellowship and working at countless Christmas fairs and church suppers. She was active in the community as well, volunteering for over 20 years at Noble Hospital, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Little League parent and later as an election worker at the polls and in the Western Hampden Historical Society. She especially enjoyed working for many years at the bookstore at Westfield State College and the friendships with the “girls” there that remained throughout her life. She was active in the 4-H as a teenager and loved gardening ever after; she also greatly enjoyed golf, both in her ladies league and with Donnie and her sons and later with her grandsons. Growing up through the Depression and World War 2, she was a proud American with a profound appreciation for her nation and what it represents. She was kind, considerate and loving to her family, her friends, and all whom she touched in her long and wonderful life.
Mary leaves her sons Steven D. Pierce and his wife Christina of Montgomery and Kurt M. Pierce and his wife Susan of Westfield, two grandsons, Jeffrey Pierce and his wife Ellen of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Jordan Pierce and his wife Carina of Westfield as well as two great-grandchildren, Maya and Ezra, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved with all her heart. She was predeceased by her sister Sally Ann Smith and her brother Martin Stevens, Jr. The family wishes to express its deep appreciation to the staff of Genesis Nursing Home for their skilled and thoughtful care of Mary during her time there.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 31 at 11 AM at the First Congregational Church, 18 Broad Street, Westfield with Firtion-Adams Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at Agawam Veterans Cemetery. Calling hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mary’s memory to the First Congregational Church or to the charity of one’s choice. Firtionadams.com
