Rebecca Brooks Parry passed away peacefully at her home of 55 years in Marblehead on Oct. 26, 2026. She was 86, born in Gardner, the Chair City. She was the oldest of three daughters of Charles Conant Brooks, Jr. and Faith Morrison Brooks and known by family and friends as Becky, and by her grandchildren as Reba. She graduated from Gardner High School and earned a bachelor of arts in art history from Wheaton College. She met her energetic and charismatic husband, John Forshaw Parry, through mutual friends and were happily married for 35 years until his passing in 2000. Becky and John started married life in Clearwater, Florida, then moved to Clifton Park, New York, and settled in Marblehead in 1971 where they raised their two daughters, Suzanne and Heather.
Always elegant, stylish and cheerful, Becky was a great conversationalist and loved hearing about the experiences of others. When surrounded by friends and loved ones of all ages, she was at her happiest. Her warmth and welcoming nature served her well as an entrepreneur running several retail stores, most notably the lingerie boutique, Leisure Look on Atlantic Avenue, for 24 years. Her love for history was highlighted by her years as a tour guide in Concord/Lexington, Marblehead/Salem, Boston and Gloucester. She was our family historian. Her love for global travel led her to meet Rick Mockler, her close companion for many overseas adventures and cultural outings over seven years until his passing in 2017.
Becky loved family ski weekends to Bretton Woods, trips to Sugarloaf, Menauhant Yacht Club winter cruises and in later years to Vermont with her daughters’ families. Becky enjoyed life on the coast in Marblehead and spending summers in Menauhant, East Falmouth. She would smile and always say “yes” to a boat ride or an early morning breakfast trip to the Black Dog on the Vineyard. At the Cape house, beachgoers could find Becky sitting on the covered porch giving a wave hello and welcoming a chat over the railing.
She found particular joy and laughter in attending water aerobics classes with her pool pals, the Noodlettes, at the Y, often followed by the equally aerobic coffee and conversation afterward! She was a proud member of the Arrangers garden club and participated with the flower committee at the Marblehead Yacht club. Becky stayed connected with friends at the Friday lunch bunch at the Three Cod, her monthly “wine” club, and waterfront dinners at the MYC.
She is survived by her two sisters and spouses, Candace Brooks Carr and Stephen Carr of Concord and Judith Brooks Gold and Fred Gold of Vail, Colorado; her daughters, Suzanne Parry and husband, John McGarry, Heather Parry and husband, David Pabich; four beloved grandchildren, Tyler and Annie McGarry, and Ila and Maxwell Pabich and her many loving nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 1:30 p.m. at Old North Church in Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations to Old North Church 8 Stacey St., Marblehead, MA 01945 or Grace Memorial Chapel, P.O. 425 East Falmouth, MA 02536. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Rebecca’s family.
