Mary Ellen Durkan

WORCESTER-Mary Ellen (Joyce) Durkan, 89, born in Ballyheeny, County Waterford, Ireland on November 9, 1935, moved on to her eternal rest on Monday, August 18.

Mary was the loving wife of John Durkan for 58 years. Mary was the mother of seven children: Teresita (Durkan) Mullaney (deceased 10/23/24), John K. Durkan of Leicester, Liam A. Durkan of Leicester, Annie M. Hyland and her husband Joseph of Dublin, NH, Mary E. Muskopf and her husband Dave of Moultonborough, NH, Anthony P. Durkan and girlfriend Kristine of Marshfield, MA, and Kevin M. Durkan and his wife Alissa of Worcester. Mary was also a loving grandmother to 18 grandchildren: Valerie DiFabio and her husband Bryan, Michelle Mullaney, Erin Szczesuil and her husband Daniel, Marc Dulmaine (deceased 6/24/22); John C. Durkan, Brianna Durkan, Kerri Cloer and her husband Michael, William Durkan; Kaleigh Costa and her husband Ryan, Liam J. Durkan, Eamon Durkan, 2nd LT Mairead Durkan US Army; Shamus Hyland and his wife Alice, Justin Hyland, Colby Hyland and Kelsey Hyland; Cole Durkan and Sarah Durkan. She was a great grandmother to 4; Maggie, Jack, and Carson Hyland, and Violet Costa. She also leaves behind a brother Joseph Joyce, Co. Waterford, Ireland and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three siblings, William Joyce, Michael Joyce, and Margaret Cunningham and her parents John and Catherine (Greene) Joyce.

Mary emigrated to the U.S. in 1958 with the help and sponsorship of her uncle,Tom Greene. Shortly thereafter, she met her husband Johnny at an Irish Dance in Worcester. Her travels back to Ireland were also cherished by time spent with her Joyce and Durkan families. Life beyond church and family was thoroughly enjoyed behind the deli counter and crossing kids at Lincoln St. School, where her Irish Brogue brought smiles and laughter to all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Mary loved holding court on Marginal Street in Green Harbor, the place she called her second home, where countless summer memories and lifelong friendships were made. Mary loved to listen, dance, and sing Irish music. Most importantly, Mary loved her family and her many friends. She will be missed dearly by all those who she touched in her time.

Go mbeannai Dia duit, a mhamo. Go ndeana an Tiarna trcaire orainn. Is mor an chailliunt duinn thu.

Visting hours will be held on Monday, August 25th from 4:00 to 7:00pm at Callahan & Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00am Tuesday, August 26th at St. Bernard’s Church, 228 Lincoln St. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: https://apps.alzfdn.org/memorialfundraising?PFR=344