Maria E. MacLeod of Ashland died peacefully at home on April 19, 2014 after a courageous battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig 's disease. She was 66 years old. Born in New York City, she was daughter to the late Charles and Elda (Alessi) Cuneo. She graduated from Regis College with a BA in English and a minor in history. She was a teacher at St. Bridget's in Framingham for 4 years, Marian High School for 6 years and St. Tarcisius School for 14 years. She also worked at Behavioral Health Lab for 6 years and at the Ashland Public Library. She was a member of St. Vincent De Paul as well as the Ashland Council for the Aging. She sang for the Boston Minstrel for 11 years and was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan. In her words, her loves were "my family; cooking; reading; belonging to 2 book clubs; gardening; watching the birds; love of my cat; decorating for the holidays; traveling to the Caribbean; the people I have left behind-my children and former husband; my best friend, Marilyn Bishop; my dear Regis friends; many, many kind friends who have all done wonderful things. I am so grateful to them all." She is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth MacLeod and one son, Alexander S. MacLeod both of Framingham. She is also survived by her former husband, Alexander F. (Sandy) MacLeod of Marlboro, one brother, Charles Cuneo and his wife Alyssa of Weston and two sisters; Lousie Rice and her husband Edward of Harrison, ME and Emma Greenhalgh and her husband Gene of Hudson, NH. A funeral Mass will take place at St. Cecilia's Church, 54 Esty Street in Ashland at 9am on Tuesday, April 22nd with burial to follow at Wildwood Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Monday evening from 5-7pm at the Matarese Funeral Home 325 Main Street in Ashland. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Natick Visiting Nurses Association Palliative Care Program; Compassionate Care;St. Vincent De Paul Society in Ashland or to Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, Ma 02574. www.ccals.org