Anna Mae (Curley) Parker, 91, of South Hadley, formerly of New Bedford, died Tuesday October 13, 2009 at home. She was the wife of the late Thomas F. Parker, Jr., who died in 2001; they had been married for 61 years.

Born in Taunton, the daughter of the late Patrick and Winifred (Raggett) Curley, she lived in New Bedford for 70 years, before moving to South Hadley five years ago.

She was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church, where she was active in many parish activities and was a volunteer for Bingo.

Mrs. Parker was formerly employed as a registered nurse, specializing in private duty nursing.

She was a graduate of St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, and a member of its Alumni Association. She was an avid bowler, traveler, and Boston Red Sox fan. She enjoyed knitting and attending arts and crafts at the Buttonwood Senior Center.

Survivors include two daughters, Maureen Murray of South Hadley and Maura Howard of East Boothbay, Maine; a brother, Edward "Didi" Curley and his wife Kay of South Yarmouth; four grandchildren, Thomas Parker Murray and his wife Anne of Arlington, VA, Julie Murray of Stoneham, Jessie Parker Howard of Florida, and Ross Porter Howard of Maine; and two great-grandchildren, Nina Michele and Benjamin James Bedford.


She was the mother of the late infant son Thomas Patrick Parker, and sister of the late Rita Piesco and her husband Chuck, and Thomas Curley and his wife Mary.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 AM at St. Lawrence Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday morning from 9-10:30 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the South Hadley Council on Aging, (for treats for Meals on Wheels clients), 45 Dayton St., South Hadley, MA 01075. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.