Mary R. Gamache

Mary R. (Chianese) Gamache, devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Saint Vincent Hospital.

Born Maria R Chianese on April 22, 1937, together with her twin brother, Giovanni Chianese, Jr., to Italian immigrants, Giovanni and Antimina (Mozzillo) Chianese.

Sadly, Giovanni passed away at the age of six months in October 1937. Maria was born, raised, and lived in Worcester all her life. She attended public schools and graduated from Commerce High School in 1955.

She was the Registrar of Clark University’s Graduate School of Management for twenty-seven years; having previously been the Administrative Assistant for Clark University’s Food Service.

Besides her parents and her twin brother, she was predeceased by a son, Steven Gamache, her fiancé and best friend, Silas “Si” Wagner, her former husband, Richard Gamache, brother, Pasquale “Chuck” Chianese, and sister Louisa Caprioli.

She is survived by her son, Rick Gamache and his wife Laura; her daughter, Monique Labelle and her husband Mark Minasian; a sister Frances Pellegrino, a sister-in-law, Agnes Chianese; her grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She loved to travel and took many great trips; but her most cherished trip was when she went to Italy and visited the small town in Naples, where her parents came from. It was in Naples that she found her roots and got to meet the extended families of both of her parents; this trip would remain in her memory forever.

Calling Hours will be on Friday, May 30, from 8:30 am until 10 am, in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, followed by a procession to an 11 am Funeral Mass at Saint George Catholic Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester. Interment will follow at Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester.