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RES 2026-11

Condolences on the passing of Mary T. (Quinn) Schifferdecker

How it started
Feb 2, 2026 · Offered by Councillor Flaherty. Joined at the meeting by Councillors Nolan and Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi, Vice Mayor Azeem, and Councillors Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler, and McGovern, added from the floor by motion.
What happened
Feb 9, 2026 · 🎉 Adopted as amended: the Council approved it. (unanimous)

Voted yes (9), unanimous

  • Ayah Al-Zubi
  • Burhan Azeem
  • Tim Flaherty
  • Marc McGovern
  • Patty Nolan
  • E. Denise Simmons
  • Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
  • Cathie Zusy
  • Sumbul Siddiqui
Roll call of Feb 9, 2026 · from the city’s record · photos: City of Cambridge
What’s next
🚪 End of the line: condolences extended.
The document Agenda item attachment · 2 pages

Mary graduated from St. John’s High School and, in 1950, married her childhood friend, the late Joseph A. Schifferdecker, with whom she raised two children in Cambridge; and

Mary dedicated her life to family and community, working as a teacher’s assistant at the Peabody School and volunteering for many years as a Girl Scout Brownie troop leader; and

Mary was a devoted member of St. Peter’s Parish and was known for her kindness, creativity, and love of children, welcoming family and friends into her home with warmth and generosity; and

Mary cherished time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and found joy in crafting, writing poetry, and spending peaceful days by the water in Onset, Massachusetts; and

Mary was predeceased by her sister, Gertrude Manion, and her “baby brother,” John Quinn, and his wife Marie, and is survived by her loving children, Mary C. Rizzuto and her husband Ron, and Joseph F. Schifferdecker; her grandchildren, Maura Rizzuto and her husband Greg Ashe, Philip Rizzuto and his wife Casey Hewson, and Joseph M. Schifferdecker; her great-grandchildren, Calvin and Natalie Ashe; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record extending its deepest sympathy to the family of Mary T. (Quinn) Schifferdecker at this time of such personal loss; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy

of this resolution to the family of Mary T. (Quinn) Schifferdecker on behalf of the entire Council.

In City Council February 9, 2026. Adopted as Amened by a yea and nay vote:-

Yeas 9; Nays 0; Absent 0. Attest:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk

A true copy; ATTEST:-

Paula M. Crane

Interim City Clerk

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🗓 The meeting where this was taken up: Feb 9, 2026