Mary Dickson Cressy, 92, of Warren, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Weston, Massachusetts, Mary was a daughter of the late Brenton H. Dickson III and Helen S. (Paine) Dickson. She earned an Associate of Arts degree from the Butera School of Art in Boston, and in 1954 she married Joseph C. Cressy. They[1] enjoyed 57 years together before his passing in 2011. Mary was predeceased by her sister Helen D. Chaplin (Holly) and her brother[2] [3] Brenton H. Dickson IV (Sandy).

Mary’s abiding love for all things equine began the day she was born, when her grandmother Ruth Dickson gave her a Morgan horse born the very same day on the family farm. Her passion grew throughout her life, not only as an accomplished rider, but as an instructor as well. Mary passed her love for riding along to her three daughters and was an integral part of their equine accomplishments throughout their lives.

Mary’s artistic talents were equally remarkable. Whether playing guitar, painting, sewing her daughters’ riding jackets and wedding dresses, creating intricate hand-stitched quilts, or crafting stained glass replicas of historic family-owned ships, she did everything with extraordinary skill and attention to detail.

Mary also had a profound love for the outdoors. She often could be found gardening, propagating trees, or sailing along the New England coast from Maine to Martha’s Vineyard. Mary and Joe both were accomplished sailors, passing their love of boating on to their daughters and grandchildren. Those who knew Mary often would hear her say, “Don’t expect us to attend anything between Memorial Day and Labor Day. We will be sailing!”

Mary’s legacy lives on through the beauty she created and the many lives she touched. She leaves behind: her sister Louise F. (Dickson) Hardie; her daughters Lee Fernandez, Nina Bishop, and Holly Cressy; her grandchildren Eric Fernandez, Nicholas Bishop, Katherine (Bishop) Dunn, and Ryan and Cooper Davis; and her great-grandchildren Mia, Joseph, and Millie; as well as many other family and friends.

A private service will be held at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Varnum Funeral Home, 43 East Main Street, West Brookfield, Massachusetts 01585 has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Mary’s memorial page at varnumfuneralhome.com for expressions of sympathy.