Mary Poirier, 91, Costume Designer for Ronald McDonald, Big Bird

Mary Poirier, 91, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 13 after a long battle with dementia. Her daughter Susan, son Michael and beloved niece Kathy were by her side.

Poirier was born on June 15, 1926 in Haverhill, the daughter of the late Michael and Louise Addonizio. She was a graduate of Haverhill High School and New England School of Art.

She lived and worked in New York City in the fashion industry in costume design and helped design the costumes for Ronald McDonald as well as Big Bird. Poirier was a talented seamstress and was never without her sewing machine.

She was a longtime member of the Holy Family Parish, never missing Mass until it became too difficult to attend. She was a Red Cross Volunteer at Amesbury Hospital. Poirier started volunteering at the Cashman School in Mrs. Kathy Scholtz’ class when her grandson Nicholas started school and continued volunteering for many years thereafter.

She loved to travel, first with her husband Armand and later with her wonderful circle of friends.

Poirier leaves behind her daughter Susan and husband William, son Michael and wife Carolyn, her beloved grandchildren Nicholas and Hannah, who were her pride and joy, her sister Rita Rollie, her niece Kathy Messina and wife Cathy Wall, along with extended family members. In addition to her parents and her devoted husband, Armand G. Poirier, Jr., she is predeceased by a brother, Francis Addonizio and a sister, Christine Addonizio.

Her family would like to thank her exceptionally wonderful caregivers at Avita in Newburyport who became family, as well as her companions, Ursula, Lucy and Terry.

Please remember her with her wonderful smile and her stylish hat!

Visiting hours at the Highland Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury, will be Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. immediately followed by services at the funeral home at 12 p.m. Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Amesbury, will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Watertown, MA 02452.