Danvers - Mary Lydon Gilligan, 87, of Danvers, formerly of Peabody passed away peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2026 at Masconomet Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Topsfield. She was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Dexter Charles Gilligan with whom she shared 42 years of marriage before his passing in 2002.

She was born in Marblehead on January 14, 1939 and was the cherished daughter of the late Edward and Ruth (McDonald) Donovan.

She grew up in Peabody where she attended St. John the Baptist elementary and high schools, graduating as class valedictorian from the latter in 1956. She continued her education at Boston College School of Nursing earning her degree in 1960, again top of her class. She worked as a visiting nurse in Washington, DC and Worcester, MA before pausing her professional career to support her husband's medical practice located in their home and to raise their five children. She later worked as parish administrator and CCD teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle in Salem.

She was an avid and accomplished tennis player. While always kind and gracious towards her opponent(s), she loved competition and (reluctantly) used her devastating backhand to humble many a competitor. She formed and cultivated lifelong friendships with classmates, neighbors, workmates, fellow parishioners at St. Richard's parish in Danvers (where she organized community service projects through the Sodality society), fellow members of Salem Country Club and later the Pelican Bay community in Naples, FL.

Mary was deeply faithful and approached each and every encounter with her family, community, and even strangers as an opportunity to serve others as a reflection of God's love. When she spoke with you, it was impossible to feel like anything less than the most important person in the world to her. Her kindness, humility, faithfulness and honesty were extraordinary. She will be deeply missed by all that had the privilege of knowing her.

Mary is survived by her 5 children, Mark Gilligan MD of Ipswich, Daniel Gilligan and his wife Jodi of Port Washington, NY, John Gilligan and his wife Kate of Chicago, IL, Carolyn Smith of Salem and Christina O'Shea of Danvers; her thirteen grandchildren, Jennifer Iliades (husband Nick), Haley, Aidan and Reagan O'Shea, Emily, Connor, Kate, Kelly, Matthew, Annie, Megan, Charlie and Jack Gilligan, her great granddaughter Phoebe Iliades, her sister Virginia Ryan (husband James) of Peabody and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Sadly, in addition to her husband and parents, she is predeceased by son-in-law Ted Smith, her brother Edward Donovan and sister Ruth Grady.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody on Wednesday March 4, 2026 from 4PM to 7PM and again Thursday morning 9AM before leaving in procession to St. Richard's Church in Danvers for a Funeral Mass at 10:30AM. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Danvers.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider a donation to the Boston College School of Nursing (bc.edu/give; or by mail to: Office of University Advancement, Cadigan Alumni Center, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467) or perhaps performing a random act of kindness. Mary's life was a shining example of service to others. The world is a better place because of her commitment to helping anyone and everyone she could. It will be our honor to attempt to live up to the precedent she lovingly provided.