Marie Parente: Former Milford Selectwoman, State Rep. Dies At 91

MILFORD, MA — Milford's former selectwoman and state Rep. Marie Parente died on Friday, she was 91. Parente made history in town as the first woman elected to selectwoman and served as a state representative for 26 years. According to her obituary, Parente died after a brief illness.

Parente was a longtime Milford resident and remembered for her fighting spirit in advocating for Milfordians. Parente joined the Board of Selectmen in 1972 and stayed on the board for nine years. During her time on the board, the town began to grow and Marie and her fellow selectmen made town counsel a full time position, they also focused on bringing national companies to the town by offering tax incentives.

Parente joined the Massachusetts House as a state representative in 1980 and stayed in the position until 2006. She was Chairman of the Committee on Foster Care and according to her obituary, "She never backed down on something she believed in."

Calling her the "First Lady of Milford" Ed Thompson wrote in the digital guestbook, "Marie changed Milford for the better."

Parente was a driving force behind the town's purchase of the State Armory and worked diligently in helping to make that building the Milford Youth Center.

She is survived by her husband of over 75 years, Francis A. Parente, her daughter, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The funeral will be held Tuesday October 1, 2019 at 9 A.M. from the Consigli-Ruggerio Funeral Home 46 Water St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 A.M. at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church 5 East Main St. The burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Calling hours will be on Monday from 4 to 8 P.M.