William H. (Bill) and Mary Foley Mitchelson shared 56 years of devotion until their passing in 2024 and 2025, leaving a lasting legacy of love and community.
The love story of William H. (Bill) Mitchelson and Mary Foley Mitchelson is one of devotion and family, lasting 56 years until Mary’s passing on November 19, 2024, followed by Bill’s on June 7, 2025, leaving behind a lasting legacy of love and community.
Bill And Mary’s Story Began In The Summer Of 1968
On July 6, in a heartfelt ceremony, Mary Foley, a bright and kind-hearted woman from Medford, Massachusetts, married William (Bill) Mitchelson, a driven and charismatic man from Quincy.
Their wedding marked the start of a cooperation that would weather life’s joys and challenges with grace.
Settling in Weymouth, they raised four children, Timothy, Mark, Maura, and Julie, in a home filled with laughter, warmth, and constant support.
Mary, born on November 10, 1944, to John and Marjorie Foley, grew up in Medford and graduated from Medford High School.
Her sharp intelligence led her to a career as a legal secretary at the law firm of Zamparelli and White, where her attention to detail was particularly notable.
But it was her role as a wife and mother that truly defined her.
Mary’s home was a haven, especially during Thanksgivings and summer weekends on Cape Cod, where family and friends gathered to create memories that would last a lifetime.
Bill, born on April 20, 1942, in Quincy, was the third child of Alexander Kidd Mitchelson and Lorraine Mitchelson.
A natural leader, he excelled at Sacred Heart High School in Weymouth, where he was class president for four years, valedictorian, and a standout athlete in basketball and baseball.
Scoring over 1,000 points in basketball, he left as Sacred Heart’s all-time leading scorer.
His academic prowess earned him a scholarship to Boston College, where he earned a BS in Physics, followed by an MBA from Dartmouth’s Amos Tuck School of Business.
Mary and Bill’s marriage was rooted in shared values: faith, family, and service.
William H. Mitchelson’s Wife, Mary, a devout Catholic, lived her faith through acts of kindness and service.
As a teacher’s aide in the Quincy public school system, she touched the lives of countless students with her gentle guidance, often working alongside her dear friend, the late Anne Marie Zukauskas.
Her quiet strength and thoughtfulness left a lasting impression on everyone she met, whether for a brief moment or over decades.
After a distinguished career that began as a CPA at KPMG and culminated in his role as CEO of Salem Five Bank, he retired at 59 but remained chairman of the board until 2022.
Beyond his professional success, Bill was a dedicated coach, leading youth baseball and soccer teams in Weymouth.
His quick wit and humor made him a beloved figure in fraternal clubs like the Weymouth Elks and Fort Myers Moose Lodge.
Together, Mary and Bill were a team. They loved traveling, embarking on cruises and trips to Europe and the Caribbean, creating memories that deepened their bond.
But their greatest joy was their family. As parents, they nurtured their children with love and encouragement. As grandparents, they were simply extraordinary.
In 2002, Mary became a grandmother, a role she embraced with boundless love.
Known as “Gram” or “Gaga,” she doted on her ten grandchildren, each of whom felt like her favorite.
Patient and kind, Mary poured her heart into every moment with them, whether it was a quiet afternoon together or a lively family gathering.
Her grandchildren were the center of her world, and she was theirs.
Bill, Affectionately Called “Pappy,” Was Equally Devoted
He cherished time with his grandchildren, sharing stories, laughter, and lessons that will live on.
Together, Mary and Bill created a legacy of love that their grandchildren will carry forward.
In her later years, Mary faced Parkinson’s disease with courage and dignity.
Surrounded by family, including her beloved Bill, she passed away on November 19, 2024, at the age of 80.
Her loss left a void in the hearts of those who knew her, especially Bill, who felt the weight of her absence deeply.
Just months later, on June 7, 2025, Bill passed away at Lahey Hospital in Burlington, surrounded by his children.
At 83, he left behind a life rich with accomplishment and love.
His passing marked the end of an era, but his and Mary’s legacy endures through their family and the countless lives they touched.
Bill and Mary Mitchelson’s story is one of love that stood the test of time.
From their early days in Weymouth to their adventures abroad, from raising their children to cherishing their grandchildren, they lived with purpose and joy.
Mary’s kindness and faith, paired with Bill’s leadership and humor, made them a remarkable couple.
They are survived by their four children, ten grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his brother Alexander, godson Matthew Steuterman, and grandson Aidan Brown.
Their memory will be honored at Bill’s funeral services, with visiting hours on Sunday, June 15, 2025, from 4-8 PM at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home in South Weymouth, and a Funeral Mass on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Sacred Heart Church, Weymouth.
Mary and Bill’s love was based on the power of family, faith, and kindness.
Their lives were proof of the beauty of a shared journey, and their legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew them.
