Mary Katherine (McAndrews) Shipp

Mary (McAndrews) Shipp, 88, a longtime Reading MA, resident recently of Newburyport, MA, peacefully passed away on December 6, 2022, in the presence of loved ones.

Mary was born on January 7, 1934, to Marion (McLearen) and George McAndrews at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.  Mary was a graduate of St. Gabriel Elementary School and Holy Cross Academy high school (the Upton Street Campus – she was adamant we make this distinction). She pursued a degree in English at the University of Maryland where she was a joyful lifelong member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

After graduation, she proudly worked for the US government as an administrative assistant in the Quartermaster Corp.

Mary met her future husband Robert Shipp on a blind date set up by his cousin Percy Goody while he was temporarily in the US from England working at MIT in Massachusetts.   Their wedding in England was their 26th “date”.   Mary and Robert went on to live in England, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Delaware, where she was a longtime member and volunteer with the Lion’s Club, helping to raise awareness and funding to prevent avoidable blindness and improve the life of those with visual impairments.

Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband Robert, her sister Eileen J. Smith and brother-in-law Joseph C. Smith.  She is survived by her daughter Pamela Shipp of Newburyport, MA, her son Mark Shipp (Denise) of Northborough, MA, her daughter Veronica Pallia (Michael) of Chesterfield, MO and her son John Shipp (Lauren) of Wakefield, MA. She is also the proud grandmother to Victoria Shipp and her fiancé John Blake, Rachel Shipp, Jillian Pallia and Bob Pallia.

Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, Tuesday, December 13, 2022, from 2-4pm.  All are invited to join the Funeral Mass at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church on 5205 43rd Ave., Hyattsville, MD on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at 10:00 am.  Interment immediately following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1300 Bladensburg Rd, NE, Washington, DC

Flowers are encouraged as she wished for the celebration of her life look like the stable of a Kentucky Derby winner.  Seriously, send flowers. 

To offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com