NORTH ANDOVER — Mrs. Viola J. "Vi" (Biggar) McMahon, 98, of North Andover, formerly a longtime Wilmington resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010.
Viola was born on March 6, 1912, in Haverhill, the cherished daughter of the late Paul and Hedwig (Hofmann) Biggar. Vi, grew up in the Ballardvale section of Andover and was a graduate of the Punchard High School in Andover. Viola continued her education at the Burdett Secretarial School in Boston. Viola was a secretary at an Insurance Company in Boston for several years before she met and married Bernard P. McMahon on October 12, 1939. Viola and Barney made their home in Wilmington, where they also raised their two sons, Peter and Brian.
Viola and Barney enjoyed almost 60 years of marriage before his passing in January of 1999.
Viola was very active in the Wilmington Womens Club and the Friends of the Harnden Tavern in Wilmington.
In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, especially tending to her beautiful rock gardens that were located around the family home on Floradale Avenue.
Viola will be fondly remembered as a devoted wife and mother. She was very soft-spoken, sweet, kind, and was always a lady. Viola loved her family and friends deeply and will be greatly missed by all.
Viola was the beloved wife of the late Bernard P. McMahon; devoted mother of Peter F. McMahon and his wife Marlene of North Andover and Brian H. McMahon and his wife Karen of New Jersey; loving grandmother of Christine Eaton and her husband Steven, Michael McMahon and his wife Shannon, Kathleen McMahon, Jennifer McMahon, Sean McMahon; and great-grandchildren, Aiden and Soren McMahon. She was also the dear sister of the late Clara Raftery and Ralph Biggar.
ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral service will take place at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Route 62), Wilmington, on Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 11 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting hours Tuesday, Aug. 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Viola's name may be made to the Lazarus House, 229 South Union St., Lawrence, MA 01843.
