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Mary Louise (Herre) Renga, 76, of Medway, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Monday, December 16th , 2024, after a courageous 4-year battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Mary Lou was the adored and devoted wife of 53 years to Robert of Medway, cherished and appreciated mother to Lauren and her husband Robert of Middleton, and Jeffrey and his wife Sara of Franklin; beloved “Grammy” to her little angels Adeline, Evan, and Olivia; sister to Joanne Herre of Hopedale, and sister-in-law to Catherine Renga of Clark, NJ. Beloved Aunt to Mary Catherine Carr, Ann Marie Dubanowitz and Peter Renga, and their spouses, as well as 11 great nieces and nephews, many cousins, and friends.
Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Mary Lou grew up in a close-knit family. She met the love of her life, Bob, at a dance in high school, graduated from Caldwell College with a business degree and was proudly the first female in her family to receive a college diploma. After college, she and Bob married, and Mary Lou began her career at State Farm Insurance. Once Lauren was born, Mary Lou embarked on a 20+ year maternity leave, during which time the family relocated to Massachusetts (but New Jersey was never far from their hearts). Mary Lou devoted her time to being the CEO of the family: volunteering, chauffeuring her children all over, attending every sporting event (especially baseball), cooking amazing dinners each night, and planning vacations. Mary Lou ensured all was well with her family—to her, family was the center of her universe. Little did she realize that she was the sun, and everyone revolved around her.
Once her kids were off to college, Mary Lou would find joy in working with children in the local Extended Day program. She loved to shop and always had her sacred “coupon bag” in tow. “Mamma Renga” was a fantastic cook, with many well-known recipes that friends would look forward to when they came to visit. She and Bob enjoyed many trips together, and their favorite spots included Italy, St. Maarten, and Hawaii.
Mary Lou frequently got together with her dear friends, many of those friends from her days at Caldwell College. Her solid core group was constantly in contact with and visiting with Mary Lou—a testament to the type of person she was. Thoughtful, caring, always more interested in listening to others rather than talking about herself, Mary Lou radiated warmth and cared so deeply about others in her world. One couldn’t help but feel a special closeness or connection with Mary Lou once they got to know her. The love and joy she brought was contagious.
Mary Lou faced her disease with courage and grace and was an inspiration to all around her. She was a tough Jersey Girl, and never let anyone see her struggle. The Renga family would like to thank Dana Farber in Milford and their wonderful staff for the care they gave her over the last four years.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 28th at 10 am at St. Joseph Parish in Medway, MA.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Fatima Shrine in Holliston, MA, a place Mary Lou and Bob visited frequently during her cancer battle which held a special place of solace and hope in their hearts. https://www.xaverianmissionaries.org/fatima-shrine-holliston-ma/ . A Celebration of Life will be held in the coming months.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home in Medway ginleyfuneralhomes.com .
