Mary Ioannilli Savignano (Maria Caterina) of Wareham passed away at home on March 2 at the age of 102. She was born and lived in Dedham and West Roxbury, graduating from the Roxbury Memorial School for Girls in 1932. Mary married Dr. Leonard Savignano on Jan. 19, 1947, and she was his devoted wife and companion for 47 years until his death in 1993. They lived at Westfield State College where Dr. Savignano was the president from 1961 through 1972. They lived in Needham and settled in Wareham in 1972 where Mary lived for the past 45 years. She traveled all over the world with her husband for his job at the Center for International Education for Massachusetts. Mary led a busy life playing tennis, skiing, bowling and golfing. As a member of the Little Harbor Country Club she was proud of her five holes-in-one. She was a member of the Wareham Garden Club, The Wareham Village Association, the Wareham Historical Society and the Tobey Hospital Guild. In spring, summer and fall, Mary could be found outside in her gardens. In 2009, the Wareham Garden Club established the Mary Savignano Horticulture Award in her name. She was a frequent volunteer and she donated to many charitable causes. She was a parishioner at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wareham, and she donated the funds to build a wheelchair ramp at the church. Mary was a gracious hostess throughout her life, and her home was always filled with happy guests. In earlier years, the Saturday Night Supper Club with the girls and later the Monday Night Dinner Club with her neighbors kept her engaged.

Mary’s beloved dogs were Piper, Heather and Peaches, and she welcomed the neighborhood dogs into her home for treats. She is survived by sisters Eleanor Persson of Dedham, and Josephine Anastasia of West Roxbury, and pre-deceased by sisters Ernestine Crisafulli Frasca and Esther DeBenedictis, and brothers Joseph and Charles Ioannilli. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Mary’s family and friends are thankful for her at-home “guides”: Cindy Kerr, Kristine Koskoszka, Fabrina Galvin, Maria Gilman and Barbara Perreault for making it possible for Mary to remain at home in her last year.

Donations in Mary’s name can be made to Macular Degeneration Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871; www.brightfocus.org/MDR.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend Mary’s funeral Mass held on Thursday, March 9, at noon, in Saint Patrick’s Church, 82 High St., Wareham. Burial will be on Saturday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m., in Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston. Please gather at the main entrance to the cemetery located at 95 Forest Hills Ave. Boston, MA 02130 at 10 a.m. At Mary’s request there will be no visitation. To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Wareham Village Funeral Home.