It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary Theresa (Cain) Corcoran. She passed away on Monday, October 27th, 2025, at the age of 96 with family by her side.

Born on April 2nd, 1929, Mary grew up in West Springfield on the family farm with her mother Catherine Moriarty, father Jerimiah Cain, and siblings Francis, John, Maggie, Kate and Marianne. She graduated from West Springfield High School and worked as an office manager at Forbes and Wallace in Springfield. She married Edward Hugh Corcoran in 1953 and after honeymooning in New York City and Virginia, they moved to Holyoke where they built a comfortable life together with family, friends and neighbors. Mary’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife and mother to her six children Catherine, Timothy, Margaret, Thomas, Noreen, and Kevin, and a loving grandmother to Brendan, Patrick, Caitlin, Meghan, Ryan, Liam, Maura, Erin and Kacie and great-grandmother to Edward, Emeilia, Leo, and Adrian. And mother in-law to William Dunn, Louis Bernier, and Charles Revord.

As her children grew up, she became a certified Nurse’s Aide at the Holyoke Geriatric Center, and later transferred those skills, that care, and concern to home care for many elderly residents in the Holyoke area, while still finding time to babysit grandchildren.

Mary enjoyed many beach vacations in Old Lyme Connecticut, and Old Orchard Beach Maine with immediate and extended family and friends and ventured to Ireland and Florida. She was proud of her Irish heritage and delighted in hosting the Holyoke Saint Patrick’s Day Parade at her home with Irish music, dance and food and drink. Cooking, baking, and feeding people was her way of caring. Her home was always filled with warm smells of something baking in the oven and a little drink in the fridge, creating wonderful family memories. Mary was also an avid seamstress and would sometimes work into the wee hours of the morning, finishing holiday outfits or working on new curtains. She was very active, loved to be outdoors, and loved a bit of fun. In the early days she walked everywhere. With snow in the air and sled and kids in tow, she would gather all to Charlie’s market and get the Christmas tree. At the beach she would always win the cartwheel contest, and when the music started, she would dance a jig with the best of them.

Mary was selfless. She often put others’ needs before hers. She was always looking for the good in people, and her positivity and energy was endless. a woman of quiet strength and deep love: her home was a haven for all, and her guidance was unconditional and unwavering and worth taking note of. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity that should inspire us all.

The funeral will be held on Friday November 7 at 10:30am from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by Mass in Blessed Sacrament Church at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Saint Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday morning from 9:00 to 10:30.