Mary Jane Picanso, a longtime resident of Lowell and beloved wife of the late Lino J. “Leo” Picanso, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2023, after a long period of declining health. She was 83 years old.
Mary Jane was born in Williamsport, PA on June 29, 1939, and was the oldest child of the late James L. and Bette E. (Dauber) Forma.
Mary Jane grew up in Andover, MA and after her marriage to Lino in 1961, moved to Lowell, MA where she raised her family. She was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in Lawrence and the Katherine Gibbs School. After raising her family, she worked at Central Savings Bank and PC Connection in the accounts receivable department. She was a dedicated and proud hockey mom, having spent many years traveling New England with her sons, never missing a hockey practice or game. Nothing gave her more joy than to load up the old eleven passenger Vista Cruiser station wagon with her sons and their teammates. Along with her husband, she enjoyed many family ski trips, family vacations in Maine, and Gate City Corvette Club shows. Mary Jane also enjoyed several years of travel along the east coast with Lino in their motorhome. In their later years, they settled in Bristol, NH where they enjoyed the community and beauty of Newfound Lake. She was a long-time member of the Holy Ghost Society of Lowell where she enjoyed many feasts and family celebrations.
Mary Jane and Lino were married for fifty-four years at the time of his death in 2015. Her survivors include her children, Lino J. Picanso and his wife Karen of Hudson, NH, Laurie A. (Picanso) Hogan and her husband, James B. Hogan of Pelham, NH, James L. Picanso and his partner Marie Imbres of Methuen, MA and Gregory C. Picanso and his wife, Christa of Dracut, MA. Her grandchildren, Jeremy C. Picanso of Dracut, MA, Stephanie Picanso and her fiancé Joseph Coffey of Amherst, NH, Julianna Greenwood and her husband Thomas of Hudson, NH, Victoria E. Gillette and her husband, Marc, of Lowell, MA, Alexandria J. Hogan and her fiancé Christopher A. Picinic and Elizabeth K. Hogan and her partner Autumn Troutner of Pelham, NH, and Oriana Picanso of Merrimac, MA. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law Robert Daigle of Hudson, NH, her sister, Jeannette Forma of Henderson, NV, several nieces, a nephew and many cousins. In addition to her parents and beloved husband, she was predeceased by her grandson, Alexander J. Picanso, her sister Johanna Forma, her brother James L. Forma and her sister-in-law Linda Daigle.
Mary Jane’s family would like to thank the staff of D’Youville Senior Care and the Saab Residence, for the many years of exceptional care and compassion provided to her.
Relatives and friends are invited to Mary Jane’s Life Celebration on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 4 until 8 PM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday May 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony Church, Lowell. Burial in St. Patrick Cemetery. For condolences and directions, please visit www.mckennaouellette.com.
