Mary “May” Hamblen

Mary “May” (Mackba) Hamblen, a resident of Norwood since 1984, and formerly of Westwood, Roslindale, and West Roxbury, died Sunday, June 17, 2012 at the Charlwell Nursing Home in Norwood.  She was 84.  Mary was born May 24, 1928 in Boston, a daughter of Jibran and Linda (Saliba) Mackba, immigrants from Syria. She grew up in Boston and graduated from Girls High School.  Mary earned her associates degree from Boston University and transferred to Boston State College for her bachelors degree, majoring in history with a degree in guidance.  May earned her masters degree in education from Boston University.  Mary’s first job after college was with General Electric during the 1950’s.  She advanced to teaching business at Roslindale High School, West Roxbury High School, Boston Business School, and Hyde Park High School until her retirement in the early 1990’s.  May was the third of four continuous generations of teachers in her family.  Mary was a member of the DAV Auxilliary, and of the Circle of Joy at both the West Roxbury Methodist Church and the Bethany United Methodist Church in Roslindale.  She enjoyed shopping, traveling, beanie babies, and held a deep interest in anything involving the Titanic.  May is survived by her husband of 60 years, George “Wesley” Hamblen; her daughter, Linda M. Cento, and her husband Robert, of Norwood; her son, George Wesley Hamblen, and his wife Lisa, of Plaistow, NH; her grandchildren, Diane Simoni of Dallas, TX, Stephanie Simoni of Branford, CT, and Jake Hamblen of Plaistow, NH; her sisters, Marcelle Harling of Westfield, and Venus Masselam of Bethesda, MD; and her brother, George Masselam of Needham.  Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, June 20th from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, (Route 109), Westwood.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend May’s funeral Thursday at 10 AM at the First Parish of Westwood United Church, 340 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood.  Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery on Winter Street in Norwood.  Donations in May’s memory to the US Fund for UNICEF, 125 Maiden Lane, New York City, New York, 10038 would be appreciated.