Obituary of Mary D. Birchmore

Mary D. Birchmore of Pembroke died peacefully in her sleep at the Boston Medical Center in Boston on Jan. 31,2008 at the age of 94. She was the wife of the late Edward F. Birchmore. Mother of Edward R. Birchmore, and Rosemary Newman. Mary was born in Boston and raised in Quincy. She was a graduate of Barry Secretarial School. During WWII she worked at the Hingham Shipyard, after becoming a reporter for the Weymouth Independent and later became a reporter for the Patriot Ledger for 18 years. She was also an entrepreneur running a cleaning company, gift shop in Weymouth and later the “Pinch Penny” antique and collectible shop for a number of years in Pembroke. She moved to Pembroke in 1960 and became very active and well known in Town Government. In 1997 she received Pembroke Citizen of the Year Award for her many years of civic participation. In 1972 she received a placement trophy for her play in the 1972 Pembroke Chess tournament, her unorthodox “blitzkrieg” opening handed the town champion his only defeat that year. Mary was a member of the American Legion and St Joseph’s the Worker Church in Hanson, she enjoyed piano, collecting china shoes, handcrafts and poetry. All services will be private. Burial will take place in Blue Hill’s Cemetery in Braintree.