Marie Catherine Ferraguto

Marie Ferraguto was impossible to shop for. Whenever one of her children or grandchildren would ask what she wanted for her birthday or for Christmas, Marie would always respond the same way: “To be with you.” And she meant it. To Marie, the greatest gift of all was spending time with the people she loved the most in the world. She drew strength and smiles from every minute she spent together with her family and friends.

Marie Catherine Ferraguto, 75, died peacefully on June 28, 2025, following a long battle with dementia.

She was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1949 to Herbert & Anna Linnell. Marie grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts and attended Lexington High School before majoring in math at and receiving her teacher’s certification from Emmanuel College in Boston.

Marie’s love of mathematics was the connective tissue for her entire career. After graduation, Marie became a math teacher, first at the East Junior High School in Andover, MA, and later at Northern Essex Community College, Merrimack College, and Middlesex Community College. She also worked for 27 years at the Phillips Academy Summer Session, first as an administrative assistant, and later as the Treasurer.

In 1972, Marie married Philip Ferraguto and they welcomed two children, Matthew and Teresa. Marie loved to cook and host family holidays. She also loved to read, complete puzzles, and any games that involved math, especially Sudoku. Much to the frustration of her children, not once in her life did Marie ever express a preference on what restaurant to eat at, because for her, the only thing that mattered was the happiness of her people.

Marie’s love for her children would only ever be eclipsed by her adoration for her five grandchildren, whom she joyfully helped to care for whenever she got the chance.

In addition to being an exceptional mother and grandmother, Marie was also the best of friends. She worked hard to remain connected to her friends from college and community, checking in on them often and traveling to reunions or vacations together later in life. Truly, Marie’s happy place was when she and her best friends would splurge on a weekend at the beach.

The last decade of Marie’s life was marked by a series of health challenges, but she never allowed those to dampen her joy in seeing her family and remaining connected to her friends. In recent years, Marie enjoyed the companionship of Ben Raia, a fellow resident at the facility where she lived. Ben’s incredible care for Marie provided her comfort and happiness in her final years of life.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents (Herbert & Anna Linnell) and her sister (Ann Wickles), and is survived by her brother (Herb Linnell (Rena)), her son (Matthew Ferraguto (Sallie Permar)), her daughter (Teresa Rita), and her five grandchildren (Sam & Kinsey Ferraguto and Millie, James, and Annie Rita).

Marie’s family plans to host a celebration of her life this fall in the Greater Boston area. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Esperanza Academy in Lawrence (https://esperanzaacademy.org/), where Marie served as a member of the Board.