Dentler, Mary J., 108, was peacefully called home by God in her sleep on February 27, 2021. Formerly of Peabody and Lexington, MA, in 2019 she moved to the Windham Terrace Assisted Living Facility, Windham, NH where she received loving care from the dedicated staff, for which her family is very grateful.

Mary was born on January 17, 1913 in Boston, MA to Daniel and Mary O'Keefe and was raised in North Cambridge, MA. She was the oldest of five children and predeceased by  Katherine Matchett, Rita O'Connell, Daniel O'Keefe, Jr.  and Robert O'Keefe.

After graduating from Emerson College in 1936, she worked in theater for the WPA (Works Progress Administration) from 1936-1938. She then began teaching at Cambridge High and Latin (currently Cambridge Rindge and Latin) in the Oral English/Public Speaking Department until 1944.  It was in that year she married Carl Dentler and they celebrated 63 wonderful years together until his passing in 2007.

Mary devoted her life and energy to supporting and loving her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Her love was rooted by her faith, and she was a person who lived by her values.  She always enjoyed being with family and friends, especially during summers where she spent the better part of 50 seasons at Rye Beach, NH.

Her loving spirit is carried on by her children, Carl B. Dentler and his wife Maureen, of Holbrook, MA; Karen Vadala, and her husband Joseph, of Windham, NH; and Paul Dentler, and his wife Linda, of Pleasanton, CA; niece, Lynn O'Connell and her fiance, Tom Dean of Woburn, MA, and nephew Frank Matchett and his wife Robin of Avon, MA.  Also by her six grandchildren who affectionately called her Nini,  Erin Dentler; Kara Dentler and her fiance Sean Cushing; David Vadala and his wife Kelly; Michael Vadala and his girlfriend Jessica Tetreault;  Brian Dentler; and Rachel Dentler. In addition, her two great-grandchildren, Addison and Mason.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, a private family Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021 at  Sacred Heart Church in Lexington at 10:30am. Although the service is private, friends may join a Livestream of the service by connecting to the following link:

https://youtu.be/En8ygGrePxs

A public celebration of Mary's life will be scheduled at a later date.

Mary had a deep Catholic faith throughout her life.  She and her sister, Rita, had a long, loving friendship with the late Reverend Mother Ann, Prioress of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Danvers,  and have supported them many years.    It was Mary's wish that expressions of sympathy in her memory be made as a donation to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, 15 Mount Carmel Road, Danvers, MA 01923, ( www.carmelofdanvers.org ).

Private interment Westview Cemetery, Lexington.