Marie Kathleen (McElaney) Linz of Bedford, MA, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at home on May 11, 2022. She was 80 years old.

Born on October 9, 1941, Marie was the daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Barry) McElaney and raised in Dorchester, MA.

A long-time resident of Bedford, Marie was an active member in her community. When her children were young, she volunteered for numerous school functions at Davis Elementary School, was a Camp Fire Girl leader, and an ice-skating instructor at Belisle Skating Rink. Together with her husband John, Marie was an involved parishioner of St. Michael Catholic Church in Bedford where she served as a CCD teacher, Youth Ministry leader, Eucharistic Minister, and Altar Server trainer. She particularly enjoyed the comradery that followed daily Mass with fellow parishioners who became life-long friends.

Marie's favorite times were spent with family each year on Cape Cod. Summers were spent in Harwich with family when her children were young. Later, Marie enjoyed annual family vacations at the Cape with her grandchildren and three daughters' families – especially the big extended family cookout that she made a tradition. She loved to spend time talking with family and friends and meeting new people. She loved collecting seashells in summer, seeing the leaves change in autumn, watching snow falling in winter, and hearing the birds chirp in spring. She loved to travel with John throughout New England, and to visit with their daughters' families in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and California. Marie loved to sew, read, and bake; she was well-known for her delicious sugar cookies.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Margaret (Barry) McElaney, and her brother-in-law, John E. (Jack) Joyce.

Marie is survived by her loving husband John of 57 years; her daughters Laura (and Andrew) Boquist of Harleysville, PA; Christine (and Joshua) Macomber of Cary, NC; and Lisa (and Charles) Duncan of Davis, CA. She leaves behind her dearly loved grandchildren, Caitlin, Sophie, Abby, Caroline, Henry, Matthew, Alex, Michael, and Theo. Marie is also survived by her sister Nancy (McElaney) Joyce of Weston, MA, her brother Andrew J. McElaney (and Kathleen) McElaney of Hingham, MA, many loved nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

The Linz family would like to express our gratitude for the many family, friends, and caregivers who have supported Marie through these past several months. Your gifts of time, prayer, presence, and care have made a tremendous difference in our lives.

Visitation will be held at Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Road in Bedford, on Wednesday, May 18, from 4:00-8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church, 90 Concord Road, in Bedford, on Thursday, May 19, at 10:00 AM. The Mass will be live-streamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/marie-linz . Guests are kindly asked to mask during visitation and Mass.

Interment will be held directly after Mass at Shawsheen Cemetery, 15 Shawsheen Road, in Bedford, MA 01730.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.