Mary M. Lynch is Named 2024 Grand Marshal of Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade

 

Congratulations to Mary M. Lynch, who has just been named Grand Marshal of the 2024 Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade, taking place on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

The Holyoke native grew up with her 10 siblings on Linden Street,to the late Raymond and Mary Feyre. She owes her love and appreciation of her Irish heritage to her Mother and is blessed to have traveled to Ireland numerous times with her mother, siblings, children and nieces.

“Mary Lynch is most deserving of this esteemed honor,” said Parade President Hayley Dunn. “Not only has she served on nearly every subcommittee, but she has held several leadership roles and is instrumental in the overall success of the Parade. Her calm and friendly demeanor has welcomed many new members and all look to her guidance each Parade weekend. Mary’s love of heritage, family, education and community makes her the perfect choice for Grand Marshal. I am thrilled to have Mary Feyre Lynch lead the 71st Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on March 17, 2024.”

She has held many important roles, including chair of the JFK and Memorial Mass, Grand Marshal’s Reception, Coronation Ball, and Awards Dinner. She has also served on the Program Book and Tartan committees, Parade Coordination and the Board of Directors. She was honored with the Rohan Award in 1996 and was a member of the Grand Colleen Court in 1970.

Mary and her husband John “Art” Lynch, married for 49 years, are the proud parents of Mary Ellen and her husband Nicholas Pappas of Newport, RI, and Maureen and her husband James Tisdell of Holyoke, MA. Her most cherished role is that of Nana to Emma, Jack, Patrick and Liam Tisdell.

A graduate of Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke Community College and Westfield State College Mary she earned her B.S. and M.Ed. degrees in Education. She retired in 2017 as the long-time Professor of Early Childhood Education at Holyoke Community College. She served on several Boards including the Greater Holyoke YMCA and the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. She was honored in 2010 with the “Oldershaw Award” from the Greater Holyoke YMCA which is the highest honor given to an individual who has made significant volunteer contributions to the greater Holyoke community.

Mary and her twin brother, Ray Feyre, also have the distinction of being the only set of twins to serve as Grand Marshal of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade. Ray led the Parade in 2015.

Mary M. Lynch will be honored at the Grand Marshal's Reception on Friday, January 12th, 2024 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. For more details or to purchase tickets to the reception, please contact Jane Chevalier (tjcheval@comcast.net) or Barb Rogers (twinsmommy@aol.com).

Formed in 1952, the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parades is one of the nation's largest and most enduring Irish parades, attracting thousands of marchers and hundreds of thousand participants each year, who line the streets of this former mill city that was settled heavily by Irish immigrants since the 19th century. Read about the 2023 Holyoke festivities, and about the distinguished history of the parade.