Mary A. (Berardi) Sayles

Mary Sayles, neé Berardi, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 2, at Webster Manor Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Webster MA  following an illness.

Mary was born in Milford, the daughter of Maria and Matteo Berardi. She had five siblings, Romana, Romeo, Rita, Matteo, and Robert. Mary attended Milford High School where her hobbies included dancing and playing the drums. 

The Milford High School yearbook described her as “congenial,” “always smiling,” and “an enthusiastic drummer in the school’s band.” The book said her “performance as a comedienne and singer will remain with us for many years.”

At the time, Mary aspired to be an airline hostess, and throughout her life her spirit soared the most when she was helping others. She devoted countless hours to the less fortunate, including numerous missions trips to Haiti. Mary was also constantly there for her family, especially her beloved children and grandchildren, to whom she’ll forever be known as “Nana.”

Mary married Donald Sayles and the two remained close friends even after they separated. She was a woman of faith, devoted to the Catholic Church. Her proclivity for smiling stayed with her throughout her life and she had a great affinity for Cape Cod, long walks, and teaching. Mary taught everything from music, to cheerleading, to sewing, to swimming, and her pool on Congress Terrace was for decades the most popular spot in the neighborhood.

No one ever went hungry at Mary’s house and whether it was an Italian feast or a string bean and tomato sandwich, she always made sure her family and friends were well fed.

Mary is survived by her son, Michael Sayles of Hopedale and his wife Ruth; her grandchildren Christopher Villani of Norwood and his wife LeeAnn, Ali Sayles of Boston, and Conor Sayles of Hopedale; her siblings, Romana Ferecchia of Milford, Rita Nealon of Milford, Matteo Berardi and his wife Marilyn of Lynnfield, and Robert Berardi of Milford, as well as by dozens of nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her former husband Donald, her daughter Linda Villani, and her brother Romeo.

Relatives & friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday (August 4th) at 10am in Sacred Heart Church, 187 Hopedale Street, Hopedale MA. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Milford MA. There are no visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations in her name to the Milford Regional Medical Center, c/o the Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation, 14 Prospect Street, Milford MA 01757.

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