Mary F. (Brum) Creed, 79, of Dartmouth, wife of John C. Creed, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Monday March 18, 2024 at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was born in Rabo de Peixe, St. Michael, Azores to the late Joseph and Mary (Taveira) Brum and moved to Fall River, Massachusetts at the age of 4.

She attended Mount St. Mary Academy High School and Bridgewater State College earning a Bachelor's degree in Science as well as a Master's Degree in Education. Post graduate studies included Bank Street College in New York and Rhode Island College. Mary started her career as a Fall River Public School teacher then became a Staff Developer at Project Follow Through, Coordinator of Special Needs, Elementary Special Needs Supervisor and Principal at both the Small and Westall schools. She retired in 2003 as the Director of Special Education, Fall River Public schools, a position she held for more than 8 years. In addition, she was also an Adjunct Professor for Lesley College Graduate Program and a MA Department of Education committee member for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). Mary was an active member of her community, belonging to many organizations such as the Rotary Club of Fall River, SER-Jobs for Progress Inc., Portuguese American Women's Association (PAWA), Dartmouth Sister City, and in Florida, Shell Club of Sarasota and Anna Maria Garden Club. In addition, she was a dedicated ASPCA donor and animal lover. Her hobbies included tennis, bridge, reading, gardening, collecting, cooking, mah-jongg and worldwide travel.

She leaves behind her loving husband John of 43 years, her children. Heidi (Cafasso) Gardner and her husband, Sean Gardner, Alexa Pellegrino and her husband, Paul, Kelly Thompson and her late husband, Brian; her four grandchildren, Malia and Ava Cafasso, Sarah Morales, and Carley Thompson;  one great-granddaughter, Gabriella Morales; her sister, Phoebe (Brum) Remy and her late husband, Jerry; one brother, Joseph Brum and his wife, Carolyn; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was a genuinely inquisitive life learner, with a captivating, veracious personality accompanied by an infectious laugh. She had a keen intellect, sharp wit, and true integrity. She left a profoundly positive impact on anyone in her life.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mass General Hospital for their compassionate care during her stay. It was Mary's wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Massachusetts General Hospital, specifying it be directed to "Dr. Walter O'Donnell's Fund" for his lung research program. It should be addressed to MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114.

Following a private cremation, a memorial visitation period was held on Friday, April 12th, in our Fall River Chapel.

Family members are always grateful for relatives and friends wishing to make in-person expressions of kindness and support. If you were unable to do so, because of health concerns or any other reason, all are urged to express their sympathy online or by mail. To ensure that said condolences and/or sympathy cards reach the family, please always make sure that submissions online are made directly through the funeral home's website (www.silvafaria.com) and not through a third party. Thank you