Mrs. Mary Ellen Pierce

Devoted Mother, Grandmother “Nana” and Great- Grandmother

WATERBURY- It is with profound sadness that the family of Mary Ellen (Gilhespy) Pierce, age 88, share the news of her peaceful passing on Monday, May 5, 2025 at the Village at East Farms in Waterbury, surrounded by the love and comfort of her loving family. She was the widow of the late John F. Pierce Sr.

Mary was born on April 24, 1937 in Waterbury, the daughter of the late Fred and Helen (Lindsay) Gilhespy. She was raised in the Waterville section of Waterbury and she proudly attended Waterbury Catholic High School, where she developed values that guided her throughout her life. For 15 years, she served the City of Waterbury as a Senior Crossing Guard, ensuring the safety of countless children. Her unwavering dedication to her family was evident in everything she did; she was a loving mother, grandmother, “Nana”, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed quilting, cross- stitching, was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling with her husband and Red Hat friends. She loved Cape Cod. She was a devout Eucharistic Minister at Saints Peter and Paul in Waterbury. She had a remarkable ability to make others laugh and was known for her warm spirit, generous heart and feistiness. She loved nothing more than spending time with her loving family. Her legacy will live on through the stories she told, the lessons she taught, and the love that she shared. Her life was a testament to the power of love, the importance of family and friendship. May she find eternal rest and peace beyond measure and may she never be forgotten.

Left to honor and cherish her memory are her children; Carol Pierce Foy and her husband, Michael of Cape Cod, MA and Port Charlotte, FL and John Pierce Jr. and his wife, Serena of Waterbury, her grandchildren; Derek, Cassandra, Kevin, Liam, Seth, Noah, Emily “Edie” and Adam, her great-grandchildren; Finn and Ivan. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and many other extended family members. Besides her loving husband of 48 years, John “Jack”, she was also predeceased by her children; Brian Pierce and Maureen Salcito, her granddaughter; Dawn Salcito, her brothers; Joseph Gilhepsy and William “Harry” Gilhepsy and her special friends; Patrick “Bob” and Carol O’Rourke.

Funeral services for Mrs. Pierce will be held on Friday May 9, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. from Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care 1987 East Main St Waterbury to St Leo the Great Church 14 Bentwood Dr Waterbury to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Relatives and friends may pay their respects and visit with her family on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m at the funeral home. To honor Mary’s memory, donations to the Hole in the Wall Gang Fund at https://www.holeinthewallgang.org/get-involved/#donate, would be greatly appreciated by her family. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory of someone important to you with your family and friends. Please visit the funeral home’s tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com to do so. Kindly visit the funeral home’s sympathy store for flowers or other gifts of condolence at www.caseyfunerals.com.