BLANDFORD: Mary Lorraine Tessier Curro of Blandford, Massachusetts passed away in her home on Sunday, December 12th at the age of 71. Mary was born October 30, 1950 and raised in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and was daughter of the late Rosamond (Ross) Tessier and Gerald J. Tessier of Holyoke and sister to the late Gerald E. “Gerry” Tessier. She married the love of her life, Peter J. Curro on May 12, 1973 and was a loving mother to Sarah Elizabeth Hougen and Emily Rose Curro, a mother-in law to Eddy Hougen and Ethan Botwick, and the best Nana ever to Greta Hougen-Smith and Emma Lee Hougen. Mary graduated from Holyoke High School in 1968 and was known for her membership in the National Honor Society and as student editor for the Holyoke High newspaper. She successfully earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Early Childhood Education at Westfield State College. In 1972 she took a teaching position in the Holyoke Public School system. During her 41 years of service in the Holyoke public school district, she taught pre-k, kindergarten, and second grade, was a member of the Desegregation team and the Bilingual Program, became the Academic Coordinator for Kindergarten, and then the Director of Early Childhood Education. Mary also worked within the Massachusetts Department of Education as a Teacher Fellow, a consultant and trainer, and simultaneously spent from 1992-2021 with Westfield State University as a Professor and Graduate Coordinator for the Early Childhood Education Department. Throughout her life, she was consistently and relentlessly committed to the pursuit of equal access to high quality education for all children and the training and education of teachers. Over the years, she has impacted thousands of students of all ages on their journey in education and her legacy lives on through them. Mary was especially dedicated to her husband, children and grandchildren. She poured her heart and soul into her family and there was nowhere she would rather be than home. She was a rainbow chaser, rain dancer, butterfly whisperer, dream believer, and magic maker. She had an unmatched enthusiasm for life, shared joy with everyone she met, and she believed in kindness above all. Mary has finally gained the butterfly wings she deserved. Fly high our beloved wife, mother, nana, teacher, and friend. We will love you forever.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held for her family and close friends in the spring. The family asks to please omit flowers, and to instead consider making donations in Mary’s memory to Whole Children (https://wholechildren.org/) and Troy Foundry Theatre (https://www.troyfoundrytheatre.com/). Cards can be sent to the family at 115 Chester Rd., Blandford, MA 01008.
