Mary Hope Dean, 78

Mary Hope Dean of Berkeley, California, died on January 13, 2026, after a valiant fight against cancer. She was 78 years old. Known as “Hope” or “Hopie” to her family and friends, she was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 22, 1947, to Hope Sweetser Dean and Philip Dean.

Hope is survived by her siblings: Anne Lincoln Dean of Cumberland, Maine; Peter Sweetser Dean (Patricia) of Marion, Massachusetts; Phoebe Dean Perry of Delray Beach, Florida; and Philip Dean Jr. (Deborah) of West Roxbury, Massachusetts. She is also survived by six nieces and nephews and four great-nieces and great-nephews.

Hope graduated from The Miss Hall’s School in 1965 and Wheelock College in 1969. After teaching in Marin, CA and Portland, Oregon for 12 years, she returned to the East Coast for an undergraduate degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons College in 1981.  She then continued at Simmons College to receive her MSW and LCSW degree in 1986. Hope returned to California where she settled and ultimately dedicated 38 years to her work as a child therapist. She excelled in her profession and earned deep respect from her colleagues and the broader professional community.  She was a graduate of The Berkeley Psychotherapy Institute and a member of the Institute of Sand Play Therapy in California. Hope served on the boards of The Ann Martin Children’s Center and the Mary Sarvis Memorial Fund.

Hope’s “children” were her twelve godchildren, to whom she was deeply devoted. She nurtured them and remained present throughout their lives. Her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews also brought her immense joy. Whatever Hope chose to do, she did with great love and dedication. She loved needlepoint, weaving, knitting, reading, and attending musical events. She also loved to travel and explore internationally.

Hope cherished her plants and garden, as well as the quiet ritual of sitting with a cup of tea. An intellectual and deeply intentional person, she was part of a longstanding discussion and prayer group for 37 years. She never forgot a birthday, and her gifts—often hand-knit—were always thoughtful and personal. She was a loyal and devoted friend. Though she lived in California, Hope returned east for holidays and family milestones, maintaining close ties across the miles.

A memorial service will be held on the West Coast on February 13, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, California 94704. Hope’s memorial and burial service will be held privately this summer in Marion, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, donations in loving memory of Mary Hope Dean may be sent to:

Wondermore Inc.
16 Milton St., Suite 19
Dedham MA, 02026-2991