Mary T. (Messina) Ayoub

Mary was born during a snowstorm on December 23, 1922.  She was 3  1/2 pounds.  The story goes like this:  her grandmother (who lived to be 100) was cooking Irish bread.  The doctor arrived, removed the bread, lined the oven with bricks, rubbed olive oil on Mary and put her in.  She had to fight to live, and that fight remained with her entire life.

Mary married George in May of 1948 and moved into their home in Cambridge where she would spend the rest of her life.  She had seven children.  She lost George suddenly in 1994.

Mary was loving and caring and always the first to send a get-well, sympathy card, or make that call.  She was strong, tenacious, organized, creative and a feisty woman.  She hated change and her determination to stick with whatever she was involved with was legendary.  She had a great sense of humor.  She always told us her memory was better than ours, and she was right.

She lived her life how she wanted to live it. She was an avid reader up until a week before she passed.  She loved to knit, sew, and taught herself to crochet.  She could walk for miles and loved it.  Our dad would walk with her sometimes but did not enjoy it. They had a very rich and deep love for each other.

We wish to thank Peace of Mind caretakers and Good Shepherd Hospice for their close relationship and care for our mom.  She formed special bonds with some of them.

Mary was the dear and devoted wife of the late George Ayoub; beloved mother of Camille Joel of South Dennis and her late husband Karl, Ronald Ayoub of Cambridge, Nancy Ayoub of Cambridge, Karen Ayoub and her partner Bob Ross of Medford, Richard Ayoub and his wife Kathleen Ryan of Groton, Douglas Ayoub of Cambridge and his late wife Nanci Malone, and Eric Ayoub of Malden.  Mary was the dear "Nana" of 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.  Loving sister of the late Thomas Messina.

At Mary's request, there will be no visiting hours.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to her Funeral Service Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Orthodox Church 8 Inman St. Cambridge, followed by interment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.  In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Mary's memory to St. Mary Orthodox Church 8 Inman St. Cambridge, MA 02139 or to Good Shepherd Community Care 160 Wells Ave. Newton, MA 02459.  Please see links below under DONATIONS.

Good Shepherd Community Care
90 Wells Ave., Newton MA 02459
Web: http://gscommunitycare.org

St. Mary Orthodox Church
8 Inman St., Cambridge MA 02139
Web: http://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org