Obituary: Mary Louise Conway, 1924 - 2025
Nantucket Current •
Mary Louise Conway was born November 23, 1924 in Gloucester to Paul Smith and Alice Picco. She was one of five siblings.
Her grandfather, Captain Albert Picco, skippered one of the last remaining fishing schooners out of Gloucester, The Elizabeth Howard, during the 1920s and 30s.
Louise would tell the story of her grandfather at the back door on Sunday mornings, proudly dropping off the weekly codfish for the family.
“If I eat another hunk of cod, I’m going to grow scales,” she said.
Seeking adventure and freedom from mainland life, she acted on a tip from an acquaintance - an island off the coast where she could start a new life.
In 1949, she walked up West Chester Street with her belongings and landed a job at the original Nantucket Cottage Hospital, room and board - domestic services.
Louise fell in love with Nantucket from day one and she would tell you,
“Most wonderful place on earth to live”
The beauty of the island and the character of people. She emboldened the original island spirit - to live life on your own terms without the constraints of conformity back in America!
During her many chapters of Nantucket life - she worked the restaurant circuit and loved it.
Boathouse on North Wharf in the 50s, Cy’s, Allen’s Diner, Cap’n Tobey’s, Upper Deck and finally the Jared Coffin House.
She met Rosie, a musician at the Upper Deck - after they married, they set off on the road to travel the country - playing music and waiting tables – freedom and adventure - after a stint in Montana, they settled for a while in Apple Valley California
She tells the story of Pearl Bailey riding down the street in the middle of town on horseback singing tunes.
Returning to Nantucket, Louise acquired 10 North Beach St. and rented rooms - in the 60s, a room was $10 a week.
If you wanted meals? Room and board was $20.
In the 70s and 80s she moved to 4 Ash Streeet and started a B&B with guests who returned year after year, becoming lifelong friends.
Hospitality was a natural for Louise. She loved to entertain with dinner parties with her guests, friends and family.
“Dah’lin, relax with a cocktail at 5 o’clock if you want to live a long life!”
Later she worked at visitors’ services, enjoying sharing her knowledge and love of Nantucket with everyone she met.
Always with a flair for stories.
Good fortune and dedicated work led her to escape a few months of winter to Florida.
She and her daughter Peggy, the love of her life, would drive from the ferry to D.C. & get on the auto train. She thought this was truly living her best life.
She had many friends and good times at Windjammer Village.
At age 98, she felt fortunate to stay at Our Island Home - she read books every week about life adventures and autobiographies. She raved about the kindness of all the caregivers.
She would tell you: “Honey - Our Island Home is a godsend.”
She made the best of her circumstances – always. She was proud to live 100 years!
Raise a glass in her memory and toast to gratitude for life
Louise would say, “Sweethaht, Dah’lin, honey. God has been good to me How lucky am I?”
Rest in peace, Louise
We all love you