Mary Frances Dean, a cherished resident of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, passed away on January 21, 2026, at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, New York. She was 91 years old. Born on July 8, 1934, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late John Joseph Shea and Nora O’Donoghue Shea.
Mary married Robert Paul Dean on May 7, 1960, and the couple enjoyed 56 years of marriage until his passing on January 18, 2017. Throughout her life, Mary dedicated herself to her family and community, working as a clerk for the Department of Industrial Accidents in Boston, Massachusetts.
A Life Rich in Community and Family
Mary was a devout member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Matamoras, where she actively participated in church activities. A family statement highlighted her upbringing in Everett, Massachusetts, where she graduated from St. Rose High School in Chelsea. Mary’s professional journey included a long tenure at John Hancock before continuing her career with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Her family emphasized her love for family, including many relatives in the Boston area and Ireland. One of the highlights of her life were the summers spent on Cape Cod with her children. In addition to her family commitments, she served as the PTA President at Webster Elementary School and enjoyed hobbies such as square dancing and sewing in her youth.
In 2001, Mary and her husband moved to The Villages in Florida, where they embraced an active lifestyle that included golf, bocce, and extensive travel. She also served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Timothy’s Church in The Villages, further reflecting her commitment to her faith and community.
Legacy and Remembrance
After moving to Matamoras in 2017, Mary lived at the Westfall Senior Apartments and later at the Delaware Valley Personal Care Center, where she formed many close friendships. Her family expressed deep gratitude to the staff at Delaware Valley for their compassionate care, stating, “They provided loving dedication to Mary’s care.”
Mary is survived by her son, Francis “Frank” Dean, and his wife, Margaret “Megan” Seibel, of Menlo Park, California; her daughter, Kerry Dean Carso, and her husband, Brian F. Carso, Jr., of Matamoras, Pennsylvania; her sister, Theresa Michaud, and her husband, Kenneth, of Wilmington, Massachusetts; and her grandchildren, Jackson Dean, Madeline Dean, Owen Carso, and Nathaniel Carso. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Martha Patz and her husband George, as well as Mary Mitcheson of Melbourne, Florida, and several nieces and nephews.
Mary was predeceased by her brothers, James Shea and John Edward Shea, and her grandson, Teddy Dean Carso. Other predeceased family members include her brothers-in-law, Frederick Dean and William Mitcheson, and several sisters-in-law.
There will be no visitation. A memorial mass of Christian Burial is planned for spring 2026, followed by a cremains burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Those wishing to honor Mary’s memory can make memorial contributions to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health at https://lpfch.org/donate/.
Mary Frances Dean will be remembered for her unwavering love for her family, her dedication to her community, and the joy she brought to those around her.