Mary Rodger

Mary Alice Rodger "Alice" passed away peacefully on June 20 at the home of her youngest son Jimmy. She was 102 years old.

She was married for 47 years to the late Dr Robert C Rodger. She was later married for 20 years to the late Raymond Boyle. She was the eldest daughter of the late Paul J and (Marie) Alice Angelo. She was the eldest sister of the late Paul Angelo Jr, the late Walter Angelo, the late James Angelo and the late Jeanette Angelo Macone. She is survived by her 4 children: daughter Jean Ellen Shufelt and husband John, daughter Kathryn Ann Rodger and partner David Maloney, son Robert James Rodger and wife Claire, and her son James Paul Rodger. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Alicia Cummings (Edward), Melissa Nash (John), James Rodger (Kate), Cathryn Rodger (David), Gregory Rodger (Jennie), Nicole Tourtelotte (Justin), Leia Friedwoman and Kerry McAndrew (Brad). She has 15 great grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews as well as many step-children and step grandchildren.

Alice was born Mary Alice Angelo on May 29, 1923 in Lowell, MA and was the true matriarch of the Angelo family. She was a role model to all demonstrating what it looks like to be an incredible wife, mother, sister, nana, auntie and finally GG.

Always a leader, she attended Lowell High School and was the colonel (highest ranking) of the famous girl officers She was a music major at Lowell State Teachers college. She had a beautiful singing voice and she sang at events and concerts for most of her life. She received her masters degree in music when she was in her 50's and continued to perform at family events. She was an active member of the Lowell Choral Society.

She served as president of the Lowell PTA where she was instrumental in the development of the Peter W. Reilly School.

She was an active parishioner and patron of the Immaculate Conception Church where she was part of the Chorus for years.

She and her husband Bob were equestrians and they owned and rode their horses. She and her whole family competed in horse shows for many years as their children grew up.

She was an avid tennis player and played well into her 80's often on her backyard court at her long time home on Windsor Park Road.

She was an ardent bridge player and was a life master in duplicate bridge. She enjoyed bridge until she was in her late 90's with her husband Ray.

Her home was always open to family and friends. She cared for both her mother and her mother-in-law in their old age. She took in her nephew, Doug and countless other friends. She hosted many Angelo family reunions which were attended by children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their offspring. Usually 50 or more attendees. Everyone looked forward to these events. She was beloved by all and we will miss her dearly. It is truly the end of an era. She was a legend in her own time.

Alice was a generous donor to lots of charities and to the Catholic Church. Donations in her memory should be given to the charity of your choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in her honor on Saturday, July 12th at 10:00am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell MA. Burial at St Mary's cemetery in Tewksbury, MA will immediately follow the service.

There will be a reception in celebration of her life at Lenzi Catering & function Facility, 810 Merrimack Ave in Dracut, MA from 12:00-2:00. Friends and family are invited to attend.