MaryAnn Esparo, 76, resident of Boston’s North End passed away on June 11, 2015. She was born in New Haven, CT and was the daughter of the late Dr. Vincent James Grillo and the late Mary Agnes Grillo. MaryAnn was the beloved wife of Louis J. Esparo of Boston, MA for over 55 years. She was the loving mother of Mark B. Esparo and his wife Lynne of Somerville, MA and Alicia M. Whitehead and her husband Eric of Plainville, MA. MaryAnn was also the caring and proud grandmother of Marley Mae Whitehead and to Miles M. Gallagher. She was the endearing sister of Vincent J. Grillo Jr. of Texas, Jeanne Reichenbach of Florida, the late Patricia Nanda of Connecticut, and the late Peter Grillo of California. MaryAnn will also be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews.
MaryAnn was raised in Hamden, Connecticut and graduated from University of Bridgeport’s Fone School of Dental Hygiene. She went on to work as a periodontal hygienist, in Farmington, Connecticut. and Simsbury Connecticut, and resided in Torrington, Connecticut and Avon, Connecticut up until her retirement in 2002.
Following retirement, she and her husband Louis moved to the North End in Boston, MA to enjoy the vibrant city life. While living in the North End, MaryAnn became the chairperson of the Horticulture Committee on the Board of the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park that was responsible for the rebirth and continued maintenance of the Rose Kennedy Memorial Rose Garden. She found satisfaction and peace working in the rose garden and made many treasured friendships with the women she volunteered with. This group of women would get together once a month at different venues for Ladies Night. MaryAnn looked forward to these gatherings and loved laughing and sipping chardonnay with these special women. Her other passions included visiting art museums, attending lectures, reading and fine dining. MaryAnn’s greatest joy was being with her family and sharing her love, knowledge, humor and tenderness with them.
MaryAnn touched the lives of many people with her beautiful soul, lively personality, strength and wit. Her contagious smile and sparkling eyes were inviting and everyone blessed enough to be around her felt her joy and love for life.
Friends and family are invited to calling hours at the Boston Harborside Home of J.S. Waterman & Sons Waring-Langone 580 Commercial Street Boston, MA on Thursday, June 18 from 4pm – 7pm followed by a Celebration of Life ceremony at 7:00. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 200 Manhattan Beach, CA.
Dear Louis and Esparo family, my deepest sympathy is with you. I am truly saddened to hear of the loss of MaryAnn. She has touched my life and my family’s life in so many ways, too many to account for. She was an inspiration to me, I looked up to her and received such great advice on so many different occasions. Whether it was a chat in the laundry room or outside our building, she was always the most pleasant neighbor to have. When ever I was having a bad day I would bump into MaryAnn and she automatically cheered me up with her positive attitude, kindheartedness, great wisdom of life learned lessons. My children adored her (and Louie ) and she will be deeply missed. Mary Ann ‘ s smile was contagious and I will always remember..and miss her. Louie, you have our condolences and we are always here if you ever need anything. My deepest sympathy, Jennifer Sanderson and family
Dear Lou and the Esparo family, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Mary Ann. i first met Mary Ann many years ago through the Christopher Columbus Park and the Horticultural Committee of the Friends group. In the early years after the renovation of the park, she and I worked on that committee, as we trimmed and pulled weeds, talked about the needs of the park and North End issues, and as we both learned about how to care for the plants and flowers. Mary Ann chaired that committee for many years and passed that knowledge on by teaching so many Friends group members, organizing them for the committee and other park tasks required in every season of the years. She was also an active member of the Women’s Group of the Friends, and it was always a pleasure seeing and talking with her at our dinners. I loved hearing her talk about her grandchildren as well. She enjoyed them and her family so much, and Lou, you were always a wonderful support for her and the Park as well.
Our park has received many compliments on our Rose Garden, and the overall park appearance, and much of that is due to Mary Ann’s work and commitment. She will be sorely missed. Sincerely, Arlene Lowenstein
Dear Esparo Family,
We will miss Mary Ann a great deal. She was so friendly, always having a smile, a hug and time to listen to the trivial bits of our daily lives. I remember how her welcome presence made our transition to Fulton Street an easy one. We visited her roses today. She would be amazed to see the abundance of blossoms on the bushes right now. Her generosity of spirit will live inside of us, making us better people for having known her.
With sincere sympathy,
Whitney Tibolt, Grace and David Abbott
Louis and family,
We are so saddened to hear about Mary Ann’s passing. She was our first friend in the North End, and we never will forget the warmth and enthusiasm with which she pulled us into the Friends group at the park. We have many happy memories spending Sunday morning with her, learning from her how to prune roses while leaving our fingers intact. Invariably I think of her every time I see a rose bush, and I think she would smile at that thought.
Love and sympathy,
Kris, Anne, Henry and Sam Lucius