Mary Viola, affectionately known as "Nin" to her beloved cousins, passed away on October 29, 2024, surrounded and embraced by her adored children. Mary celebrated her milestone 100th birthday in March, 2024 and was a beloved resident of the Sunrise Assisted Living Community where she resided for the past three years. Being the second oldest resident there, she was lovingly called "Queen Mother!" Mary was the cherished mother of three children and their spouses, Grandmother of six grandsons and their spouses and Great grandmother to seven great-grandchildren. Mary was born and raised in the Somerville home which her grandparents purchased in 1919. Mary was the daughter of the late Anna (Fedele) and Antonio Viola. She was the beloved wife of the late Benedetto Viola. In 1952, Mary and Ben were married in Pompeii, Italy and shared life together for 62 years. They raised their children in the Somerville home where Mary was born and always welcomed family, extended family and friends to drop in where something was always being cooked or baked.

In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mary worked for Hood Milk and later for the Polaroid Corporation as an administrative assistant. She was a "domestic goddess" who enjoyed classical music, piano instrumental music and opera. Mary took great pride in her historical Somerville home and garden. Above all she enjoyed nothing more than time spent with her family, frequently hosting impromptu meals, memorable holiday celebrations and Sunday afternoon coffee with her dear cousins Ann, Bob, and the late Diane and Aunt Lena.

She was the cherished mother of Letitia Zani and her husband Richard, Michael Viola and his wife Mary and Nancy Santilli and her husband Ray. Cherished grandmother to Christopher Zani and his wife Amanda, Michael Zani and his wife Liz, Jonathan Viola and his wife Lindsay, Wesley Viola and his wife Teal, David Santilli and his fiancee Jill Schmidt, Marc Santilli and his wife Alexa. Precious great-Nana to Diana, Lexi, Chase and Samantha Zani, and Parker, Sophia and Violet Santilli. Dear sister of the late Benedict and Frances Viola of Somerville.

Calling Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville on Wednesday morning, November 6th from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, Union Sq. Somerville at 11 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.

In lieu of flowers donations in Mary's memory can be made to either charities:

St. Jude Children's Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org Compassionate Care Hospice 800 W. Cummings Park, Woburn MA 01801 or www.amedysis.com