Ann (McNamara) Tambascio, a co-founder of the Wellesley Food Pantry and a nurse at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, has died this week.

She leaves behind her husband Mark and daughter Sarah.

Gail Lockberg, former co-director of the Food Pantry (and currently serving on our Advisory Board), had this to say: “Ann cared deeply for the mission of the Wellesley Food Pantry. Her hard work and vision, along with hours upon hours of volunteer time, made the pantry an intricate part of the fabric of Wellesley. She gave of herself as a gifted nurse, an inexhaustible volunteer, a dear friend. She is a past recipient of The Wellesley Townsman 10, given in recognition of her work for those in need. Her daughter Sarah was her youngest assistant, volunteering from an early age — her photo graces the Wellesley Food Pantry website. Ann was the model for who we all hope to be, someone who gives for the sheer joy of giving, something that came naturally to Ann. We were lucky to have her care, concern and talent as the foundation of today’s Wellesley Food Pantry.”

A funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Wellesley Hills on Dec. 22 at 10am.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ann’s memory to the Wellesley Food Pantry, 207 Washington St. Wellesley, MA 02481.