On Saturday, July 2, 2022, Mary Charlotte (Murray) Broadwater passed away peacefully at her Mattapoisett home. Born August 15, 1929 in New Bedford, Mary was the only daughter of Joseph Murray and Mary (Lancaster) Murray amongst a household full of sons. She was affectionately called “Sister” by her brothers.
A graduate of Holy Family High School, Mary went on to Boston to study at the Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing, from where upon graduation she became a registered nurse. She worked first as a psychiatric nurse at McLean Hospital before moving back to New Bedford to become plant nurse for Goodyear. It was at Goodyear that she met her future husband, Harlan Charles “Jiggs” Broadwater. Their first date was at The (now former) Silver Gull restaurant in Mattapoisett. They were married less than a year later and relocated to New York City due to Jiggs’ work. They returned to Massachusetts after five years, and Jiggs bought Mary the home directly across from The Silver Gull, a reminder of the place where the Broadwater family story began. Mary lived out the remainder of her years in that very same home.
Upon retirement, Mary filled her time as both a volunteer and friend to many. She drove for FISH, volunteered at the local Council on Aging and got together with friends to knit, quilt and play Mah Jong. A communicant of St. Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett, Mary remained steadfast in her faith up until the very end.
Mary is survived by her children, James E. Broadwater and BethAnn Broadwater, both of Mattapoisett; and almost two dozen nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband and her five brothers, Hugh Murray, John Murray, Paul Murray, Raymond Murray and William Murray.
Mary’s family would like to express their gratitude to the Southcoast Visiting Nurse Association’s amazing hospice care team as well as the many personal caregivers from the Care With Love holistic nursing care group. Together, they helped Mary’s family fulfill her wish of staying safe in her loving home until the very end.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday July 11th at 10 am at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in Cushing Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, July 10th from 4-7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
