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Villanova head coach Jay Wright delivered the sad news that Mary Jane Massimino passed away on Wednesday morning.
The soul of Villanova Bball during the Coach Mass era passed this morning peacefully surrounded by her children ! RIP “ Mrs Mass “ - every player and coach was blessed to have her calming assurance and love . pic.twitter.com/OrtrFgnXfy
— Jay Wright (@VUCoachJWright) July 22, 2020
“Mrs. Mass” was 84 years old.
The wife of the great Rollie Massimino, Wright described her as “the soul of Villanova Basketball” while her husband was at the helm of the program.
Rollie passed away at the age of 82 back in 2017.
This is another tough loss for the Villanova Basketball community. While Rollie was a father figure for Wright and on the sidelines, Mary Jane also had an impact on the program and those within it. The two got married in 1958, and she had been by Rollie’s side all throughout his career.
They had five children — Lee Ann, Tom, Michele, Roland “R.C.” Jr., and Andrew — and plenty of grandchildren as well.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Massimino family, the basketball program, and the entire Villanova community.