Mary A. Wing

Mary A. (Contonio) Wing, 86, died Tuesday February 14, 2023 at Beaumont in Northborough. She was the wife of a career Marine, the late Gunnery Sergeant William E. Wing, Jr., USMC, who died in 1996.  

She was born, raised and educated in Marlborough, the daughter of Arline (Smith) Contonio and was a graduate of Marlborough High School in 1954. Mary was a department manager for Data General for many years. She also worked for RCA in Marlborough and Sylvania/GTE in Needham. 

She was a member of the former Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Marlborough, MA and loved to play Bingo and making crafts. More than anything, Mary loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She volunteered for many years at the Food Pantry in Sudbury. 

Mary was as much a Marine as her husband Bill.  A strong, protective, and loving Mother, she was truly the Commanding Officer in the Wing Household.  Mary stood strong when her husband was called to war in Viet Nam for 18 months.  Her children will tell you not once while their father was away did they ever fear anything, knowing well their Mom was there to protect them.  Mary was a woman who actually slept with a “45” under her pillow while Bill was in Viet Nam.   During her younger years she would go target shooting with Bill, who was an expert marksman for both rifles and pistols.  Bill would shoot the heads off a match with his “45” pistol, but Mary was touted to have once outdone him by LIGHTING the match.  The other side of Mary was her kind heart.  She focused 100% of her time and efforts on helping others, without ever expecting anything in return. She would give you her last nickel if you were in need. During her time at Beaumont she became a caring and protective force always making sure patients were well cared for and the staff was treated respectfully. One of her nurses, Kwame, spoke of a time when someone had been mean to him and Mary got in his face and told him “You be nice to Kwame!”.  All the Staff at Beaumont grew to love and admire Mary.

Mary leaves two sons: William “Buck” Wing and his wife Susan of Milford; Thomas Wing and his wife Cindy of Lancaster; a daughter Linda Greengo and her husband Michael of Wilson, NC; a son-in-law Glenn Merlini of Durham, NC; and a sister Jean Hill.   Mary leaves 8 grandchildren: Michael and his wife Ashley Wing of Lancaster, William and his wife Kristen Wing of Vineyard Haven, Jonathan and his wife Amal Wing of York, ME; Bryant and his wife Anastasia Wing of Medway, Courtney and husband Eric Ferreira of Bellingham, Jeffrey Wing of Milford, Chelsea and her husband Ian Bracken of Durham, NC, and Evan Greengo.  Mary also leaves 9 great grandchildren: Sophia, Ella, Olivia, Thomas, Michael, Josephine, Jackson, Zeke, and Romeo.  She was predeceased by her son Michael and her siblings, William, Arthur, Buddy, and Louise. 

A funeral service will be held Friday February 17 at 12 Noon in the Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery, Pleasant Street, Marlborough.  Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 10-12 in the funeral home.  All are invited to sign Mary's online guestbook at www.collinsfuneral.com.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to  https://www.heart.org  or https://www.cff.org.