Mary Frances Dean, a cherished member of the Matamoras, Pennsylvania community, passed away on January 21, 2026, at the age of 91. She died at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, New York, following a life dedicated to her family and community.
Born on July 8, 1934, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Mary was the daughter of the late John Joseph Shea and Nora (O’Donoghue) Shea. She married Robert Paul Dean on May 7, 1960, and the couple enjoyed 56 years of marriage before Robert’s passing on January 18, 2017.
Mary’s professional journey began as a Clerk for the Department of Industrial Accidents in Boston, Massachusetts. She was also a long-time employee of John Hancock and later worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Her commitment to service extended beyond her career; she was an active member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Matamoras.
Legacy of Family and Community Involvement
A family statement noted that Mary grew up in Everett, Massachusetts, where she graduated from St. Rose High School in Chelsea. She cherished her time spent with family, which included numerous relatives in both the Boston area and Ireland. A highlight of her life was her time spent on Cape Cod with her children, creating lasting memories.
Mary’s community involvement was extensive. She served as the President of the Parent-Teacher Association at Webster Elementary School and enjoyed hobbies such as square dancing and sewing in her younger years. In 2001, she and her husband moved to The Villages, Florida, where Mary embraced an active lifestyle, participating in golf, bocce, and frequent travels. She also served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Timothy’s Church in The Villages.
Following Robert’s passing, Mary relocated to Matamoras in 2017, living first in the Westfall Senior Apartments and later at the Delaware Valley Personal Care Center. There, she formed many friendships and was well-liked by both staff and residents. Her family expressed gratitude to the staff at Delaware Valley for their dedicated care.
Survived by a Loving Family
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., live in Matamoras, PA. She is also survived by her sister, Theresa Michaud, and her husband, Kenneth, of Wilmington, Massachusetts, along with four grandchildren: Jackson Dean, Madeline Dean, Owen Carso, and Nathaniel Carso.
Mary was predeceased by her two brothers, James Shea and John Edward Shea, as well as her grandson, Teddy Dean Carso. She is also mourned by her sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be no visitation, but a memorial mass of Christian Burial is planned for the spring, followed by the burial of her cremains at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health at [lpfch.org/donate](https://lpfch.org/donate/). Mary Frances Dean’s life will be remembered fondly by her family and the many lives she touched throughout her journey.
