Mary Jean Gagnon, 92

Mary Jean Gagnon (nee Tardie) passed away February 23rd, 2026, just a month shy of her 93rd birthday. She pulled off a classic Irish Goodbye and waited for a Nor’Easter that forced her family home before she left this earth. 

Born and raised on Greenfield Street in South Lawrence, Mary Jean attended Lawrence High School (1950) where she caught the eye of the football quarterback Robert Gagnon. They bought a house on Greenfield Street and started their family. Bob and Mary Jean were inseparable through many road trips, beach days and life’s ups and downs, until Bob’s passing in 2014. 

Mary Jean was an extraordinary mother who raised 2 girls and 3 boys. She was often seen at Lawrence Youth Hockey games in the old Frost Arena, and on occasion she refereed the father son game where she once famously threw her own husband out of the game for trying to give her a hug. But rules are rules and you don’t touch the ref, she would say in her defense. 

When the kids were older Mary Jean and Bob moved to Salisbury Beach and quickly became notable figures to those driving home at the end of the day. Their status only grew when a front deck was built. Based on the number of beeps and waves, it seemed as though Mary Jean and Bob knew everyone. 

She retired from the Town of Salisbury Tax office.

Mary Jean went by a few names – Mary, MJ,  Mame, Mrs. Gagnon and Mom but most fitting was Nana. Disney would have a difficult time creating a character who would perfectly emulate a “Nana” like her. For her 5 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, she made her home magical, complete with an actual cookie jar, endless ice cream and all your favorite snacks. 

Mary Jean often said that having the kids around made her happy. She would leave the finger prints on a sliding door in her otherwise immaculately cleaned house because looking at them made her smile for days after the visit.

Mary Jean had a pain tolerance that would make a marine jealous. She read books faster than her grandkids could eat her cookies. She knew more about hockey than most commentators and could easily recite the starting line up of the 1972 Boston Bruins. She enjoyed the quick witted humor of British TV, a challenging crossword puzzle, and a game of Trivial Pursuit. She could cook a 4 course meal without breaking a sweat and no matter what, the table could always fit one more. And she never, ever, let you leave without a hug and a wave from the window as you drove away even in later years when walking was difficult.

She will be greatly missed. 

Mary Jean was predeceased by her husband Bob Gagnon, sons Joseph and James, daughter Katherine and sister Joanne Speziali. 

She was survived by her Sister Susan Mazzocco (Domenic) of Seabrook NH, her loving daughter Mary Beth and husband Mike Traynor of Pelham, NH, and son John Gagnon of Methuen, her grandchildren Amy and Jeff Spence of Dracut, Tim and Charlene Traynor of Methuen, Steve and Julie Traynor of Pelham, NH, Katelyn and James Bizeur of Haverhill, Jennifer and Johnny Hernandez of Salem, NH; her great-grandchildren Taylor Melvin, Sam Spence, Meghan Spence and Fiancé Ben Smith, Madelyn Traynor, Niki Spence, Timmy Traynor, Jr, Jakob Traynor, Emma Spence, Callie Hernandez, Lincoln Hernandez, Emma Hernandez, Mia Hernandez, Abigail Traynor, Brielle Traynor, Molly Traynor, Robert Bizeur (RJ), Evelyn Bizeur and great-great grandchild Carson Melvin.  As well as several nieces and nephews. 

We would like to thank the staff of Lawrence General Hospital, H2 nursing and medical staff for the incredible compassionate care she was given in her final days. Also Tufts Medicine Hospice Services, they helped guide us through her ending making sure it was pain free and peaceful. They took great care of her family as well.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, March 1^st from 3PM until 5PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main Street, Haverhill. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Tufts Medicine Hospice Care, 847 Rogers St., Lowell Ma 01852. Please visit www.comeaufuneral.com or Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook.