Former NECC Assistant Dean Mary T. Prunty, 79,

mary_pruntyA well-known former Northern Essex Community College assistant dean, Mary T. (Henighan) Prunty, 79, of Atkinson, N.H., passed away Jan. 6, at Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill.

She was the daughter of the late Walter J. and Mary Durkin Henighan of Clinton,  and the widow of the late Thomas C. Prunty. She received her bachelor’s in nursing from Fitchburg State College and master’s in guidance and counseling from Assumption College. She was a nursing professor and retired from Northern Essex Community College as assistant dean of Academic Affairs having served there in various functions for 38 years. Prunty was very active in the community serving as president and northeastern region governor of Soroptomist worldwide volunteer service organization. She loved supporting her daughters at numerous horse shows and visiting the Cape where she met her husband. Her love of travel could be seen in the various keepsakes she collected during her travel to Japan, Russia, Alaska, Central America and beyond.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Ellen Prunty of Haverhill and Kathleen Prunty of Shanghai, China; three sisters, Sister Ellen Henighan, P.B.V.M, of Worcester, Claire Mather,of Tucson, Ariz., and Kathleen Henighan of Waltham; and niece, Audrey Lokker and her husband, Eric and their children of Houston, Texas.

A private burial takes place in the spring. Arrangements are by Grondin-Carnevale Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Ave., Haverhilll, MA 01830. Memorial Contributions may be sent to Merrimack Valley Hospice House ,360 North Ave, Haverhill, MA, 01830