Mrs. Mary F. (O'Connor) Travers died on Aug. 1, 2023, in Cambridge. She had been struggling with health issues for some time. The County Kerry native immigrated to the United States in 1959 while still in her late teens.

She became a US citizen four years later and began an amazing 50-year long career as a cook in rectories across the archdiocese. Her son, Bob Travers, reported that she had been the cook in more than two dozen parishes, most in the Boston area. Among the parishes where she worked in rectories, and not only as a cook but also as a sympathetic ear to priests and supportive advice, were Infant Jesus, Brookline, and Sacred Heart, Cambridge.

Mary was also a cook in the Cambridge Public Schools, serving hundreds of students over the years she worked there.

More recently, she was the cook at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross rectory. "She was a wonderful cook. Outstanding chocolate chip cookies," said Msgr. Kevin J. O'Leary, cathedral rector. "But she was even a finer person. She was a delight. Even when we had unexpected or surprise guests, she immediately and readily accommodated them."

Cardinal Sean O'Malley was the principal celebrant of Mary's funeral Mass at Sacred Heart, Cambridge, on Aug.10, 2023. Msgr. O'Leary was the homilist.

Mary is survived by her husband, Robert, and her son, Robert Jr., both of Cambridge.

Mary was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a recipient of the Cheverus Medal.

Following here funeral Mass, Mrs. Travers was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.