Saint Maria Goretti Parish Says Thanks To Bette Mahoney

A release from the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative:

LYNNFIELD – The parishioners of Saint Maria Goretti Parish came out in force Oct. 20 to honor Bette Mahoney, the parish’s long-time organist/keyboardist, who retired after 35 years of dedicated service.

Former and current members of the parish choir, cantors, and instrumentalists sat in the front pews to show their love and respect in the most appropriate and meaningful way – by singing at the Mass held in her honor.

Bette, a resident of Haverhill, has made the commute to Lynnfield through many tough snowstorms, in the deep darkness for Christmas midnight Masses, and in the pre-dawn hours for Easter services. For 30 years, she was the only organist for the parish. To many in the congregation, Bette has provided the musical score for their lives, from the familiar canticles of weekly liturgies, to the joyous carols of celebrations and the comforting hymns of funerals.

In her three and a half decades at St. Maria Goretti Parish, Bette served as musical accompanist under four pastors -- Father John Flynn, Father Michael Lawlor, Father Thomas Powers, and Father Paul Ritt – and four music directors -- Lou Bertolami, Pamela Halpern, Jaymie Wolfe, and Jayson Cote.

As Beverly Merritt, friend and SMG parishioner, put it “The Lord graced us with a gift of talent when He sent us Bette Mahoney.”

Photos by Marie Lagman. Bette Mahoney, Father Paul Ritt (Pastor of the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative) and Beverly Merritt present Bette Mahoney with a gift as a token of thanks for her years of dedicated service to St. Maria Goretti Parish; Anne Welch, Bette Mahoney, Cara Palmerino, Andrea Gagnon