Mary Lou Rivernider, 85, longtime resident of Ashland passed away Tue. June 20th with her family by her side.  She was the wife of Edward B. Rivernider for 60 years.  Mrs. Rivernider worked as the school nurse for the Town of Ashland for 32 years.  She was a member of the Ashland Lions Club, the Ashland Legion Auxiliary Post 77, and a long-time parishioner of St Cecilia Parish in Ashland.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children, Elizabeth Wilensky and her husband Craig of Montclair , NJ, Deanna Rivernider and her fiancé Rich Dowall of Medway, Cynthia Rivernider of New York, NY, and Michelle Cieri and her husband John of Sandwich, MA, six grandchildren, Sarah, Isabel, Andrew, James, Aleksa, and Scott, sister, Carmen Maria Ledezma, and brothers, Carlos Alberto Ledezma and Felix Antonio Rodriguez Ossa.

Mary Lou was born and raised in Panama. She came to the United States in 1959 when she was 21 years old leaving her parents, sister, 4 brothers and a very large family in Panama. She attended a Catholic high school in the Panama Canal Zone and was  valedictorian of her class.  After working for a newspaper right out of high school, one of the nuns from her school suggested that she go to Boston (Dorchester actually) for nursing school. The nun knew a family she could stay with and Mary Lou received her nursing degree in 1962, at the Catherine Laboure nursing school. She was at first an emergency room nurse and she loved her job!

Mary Lou and Ed met at a fraternity party at Lowell Technological Institute (now the University of Massachusetts Lowell) where Ed attended. She describes him as "tall and handsome in his trench coat". He says "a bunch of nurses came to our party and she was beautiful!". He made her a drink (she didn't drink!) 60 years later, 4 daughters, 3 "sons", 6 grandchildren, and a great grand baby on the way they created a beautiful life and family!

Mary Lou and Ed lived in Ashland for 55 years. Mary Lou quickly became involved in her community volunteering in the schools, teaching 3rd grade CCD for St Cecilia's for 25 years, and eventually becoming the most beloved school nurse at Warren School (formerly Fruit Street School). When she retired from school nursing in 2014, she couldn't sit at home and do "nothing" so she became a geriatric nurse for a local family in Ashland where she was also deeply loved.

Mary Lou's "hobbies" were her family and her prayers! She was known to pray for many and often offered up novenas for those in need. She loved all animals including "outdoor critters" and believed in feeding all!

She loved supporting her charities....Pine Street Inn, The Women's Shelter, St Jude, and various animal charities.

One of the most beloved attributes of Mary Lou was her love of a good party! Having hosted them herself for many years and attending one whenever she could, she could always be found on the dance floor! Mary Lou made friends wherever she went whether it was recently the nurses at Dana Farber, the staff and residents at The Residence at Valley Farms, or the many people whose lives were graced by her presence, she was loved by all!

We have all gained an Angel in heaven! She will be greatly missed!

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday June 24th at 9:00 am in St. Cecilia's Church, 54 Esty St. Ashland, MA.  Visiting hours will be held Friday from 3:00-7:00 PM in the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. Ashland, MA.  In lieu of flowers donations in Mary Lou's memory may be made to

www.stjude.org/donate

or

www.baypathhumane.org/support-us

Condolences may be mailed to:

Edward Rivernider, 369 Pond St. Unit 327, Ashland, MA  01721