Mary Josephine “Mary Jo” Gargan Clasby, 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday May 10, 2022 at her family home in Waterford, Vermont.

Mary Jo was born in Boston on September 18th, 1932, to her parents, Joseph Francis Gargan and Mary Agnes (Fitzgerald) Gargan. Her father Joseph played football for Notre Dame, fought, and was wounded at the Battle of Belleau Wood as a 6th Regiment Marine during World War I and was an accomplished lawyer. Her mother Agnes was the daughter of the former Mayor of Boston, John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald.

Despite losing both of her beloved parents by the age of twelve, Mary Jo was full of optimism and lived a life devoted to family and friends.

She and her siblings, Joseph and Ann, were raised primarily in Lowell, MA, by her uncle and aunt, William and Ann Gargan, and her guardians, Daniel and Catherine O’Dea. She spent her summers in Hyannis Port, MA with her aunt, uncle and many cousins.

One of Mary Jo’s fondest memories was working in the trenches for her cousin John F. Kennedy’s successful 1952 campaign for the U.S. Senate. After graduating from Manhattanville College in 1954, where she excelled at journalism and several sports, Mary Jo went on an around-the-world tour by steam ship and train with her Aunt Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. She then married former Harvard football Captain Richard John “Dick” Clasby in 1955 and together they raised seven children in Milton, MA. Through her faith, devotion and overriding belief in the goodness of people, she brought humor and optimism to every challenge, no matter how daunting. For more than sixty-five years Mary Jo was the center of gravity that held together and lifted up her children, thirteen grandchildren and her many friends.

Mary Jo dedicated herself to many causes over the years with particular devotion, to St. Elizabeth’s Church and The Friends of the Blue Hills.

Mary Jo was predeceased by her husband Richard J. “Dick” Clasby, beloved daughter Susan Elizabeth and her brother Joseph Gargan. She is survived by her loving children Michael P. Clasby and his wife Nancy of Marblehead, MA, Richard J. Clasby, Jr. of Hondo TX, Gail A. Mustoe and her husband Steve of Windsor, VT, Robert J. Clasby of Scottsdale, AZ, Mary Jo O’Neill and her husband Tim of Waterford, VT and John R. Clasby and his wife Pamela of Wilton, CT. Cherished grandmother of Misha, Erin, Megan, William, Christopher, Christina, Brendan, Susie and Robin Clasby, Calais and Oliver Mustoe and Jack and Luke O’Neill and her sister Ann Gargan King of Bradford VT.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Elizabeth Church, 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton Wednesday, May 18th at 11:30 AM. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, prior to the mass from 9:30-11:00 AM. Burial at Milton Cemetery. Family and friends invited. A livestream link to the church’s website is below.

Donations in memory of Mary Jo can be made to The Friends of the Blue Hills, at friendsofthebluehills.org