Mary (Palaio) Prunier

Mary A. (Palaio) Prunier, 87, a longtime Worcester resident passed away surrounded by the ones she loved Wednesday, October 16th, 2019. 

Mary was born in Worcester, April 6, 1932, one of seven children of Italian immigrants Francesco and Concetta (Fulginiti) Palaio.  Raised in Worcester Mary graduated from Commerce High School, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Worcester State College and her master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  Mary used her education in a field she loved as a special education teacher for the city of Worcester at Lincoln Street and Nelson Place schools before retiring.

Mary leaves behind the family she loved: her four children, Richard A Prunier and his wife Chris Suzinski of Dayville CT, Gary A Prunier of Worcester, Francis A Prunier and his wife Leonila of Millbury and her  Cynthia A. Stearns and her fiancée James Morrison of Westboro; two sisters, Antoinette Carson, and Theresa Johnson; six grandchildren, Richard and Nicole Erickson Prunier, Maria Martin, Tori Stearns, Dahlia Prunier and Irisa Prunier. Many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.   A brother, Gus Palaio and sisters Carmella Keyes, Rose Kolosky and Marion Jersyk predeceased her. 

Mary was a member of Saint Joan of Arc Church.  Mary was a beautiful person who believed that family was he most important part of her life.  Her children and grandchildren always came first no matter what.  She had a passion for teaching and considered she was born to become a teacher.  She enjoyed cooking, could speak four languages, English, Italian, German, and Spanish and for a time lived abroad in Germany. 

Friends and relatives are invited to a period of calling hours Friday, October 18th from 9 to 10:30 am in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St before departing in procession to St Joan of Arc Church, 500 Lincoln St where her funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am.  Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452 or the Activities fund of Beaumont Rehabilitation Center, at University Commons, 378 Plantation St 01605.