Nov. 4, 1934 ~ Jan. 26, 2025
Framingham – Mary Teresa McDonald (nee Killeen) of Framingham, MA (formerly Marlborough, Franklin and Maynard) passed from this life to eternal life on January 26, 2025. She celebrated her 90th birthday in November.
She was the beloved wife of the late Robert T. McDonald and devoted mother of Robert, Gregory, Jerome, Gemma (Kevin), Stephanie (Jose), Elizabeth (James), Patricia (Timothy), Julie and Richard. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Earl and her grandson John (JJ).
Her legacy of love continues through her 27 grandchildren, their spouses and 11 great grandchildren: Michaela (Rick), Rob (Rachel), Kara (Sam) and Kier; Cory, Andrew, Kendrick and Charlotte; Pat, Sarah (Greg), Brian (Lee) and Maria; Joe, William, Rachel and Julia; Jacqueline; Michael (Teresa), Caroline and Brandon (Zoe); Ryan, Shayla (Lamin) and Randall; Alicia, Matt and Ashley; Vivi, Rory and Evie; Ava; Emily and Cameron; Annalise; Emma, Abby and Annabelle; Abel; and three more great grandchildren due later this year.
She is also survived by her sister Joan (Bob), brothers-in-law Joe and Charlie, sisters-in-law Ginger, Eleanor, Ruthie (Sal) and many nieces and nephews.
Mary attended St. Joseph Grammar and High School in Union Square Somerville. After a brief time in the Columban Sisters convent, she returned to the world and later named her first daughter after Mother Superior. Married for over 50 years, she was a great cook and an excellent baker. She enjoyed vacations in Maine, traveling to visit family and laughter.
After raising her children she became a college student and graduated magna cum laude from UMass/Boston earning a BA in History and an M.A. in Archival Methods. Her graduate thesis was on the emerging struggle for emancipation among Boston’s Irish Women in the late nineteenth century. She taught high school before transitioning to work as a librarian at Regis College and Shrewsbury Public Library. In the 1970s she was one of the early organizers of Massachusetts Citizens for Life and worked as a crisis pregnancy counselor at Birthright.
She was a faithful Catholic throughout her life, finding consolation and inspiration through prayer. Always willing to be of service to others, she was determined but patient, loved children, reading the Saints and watching a good movie.
Our family wishes to thank the staff and Carmelites at St Patrick’s Manor for the care she received these past four years. We could not have managed without you!
Visiting hours for Mary will be held Friday, January 31, 2025, from 5:00-7:00pm at the Slattery Funeral Home, Inc., 40 Pleasant Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00am at the Immaculate Conception Church, 9 Prospect Street, Marlborough. Burial will follow at St. Bridget Cemetery, 252 Great Road, Maynard, MA 01754.