Evelyn Begley, a resident of Bright View in North Andover, and formerly of Methuen, died peacefully in her sleep on October 28th. Evelyn was predeceased by her husband Kevin P. Begley, to whom she was married for 58 years.
Evelyn was born in Lawrence, the daughter of the late David and Margaret Walsh. She attended St. Lawrence O’Toole Grammar School, and was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School with the Class of 1943. She graduated from The McIntosh Secretarial School, and was a secretary for many years, including working at St. Patrick’s Parish Rectory where she formed many lasting friendships and was a well-respected member of the parish community.
Volunteering was an important role in Evelyn’s life. She was involved with the March of Dimes, Meals on Wheels and teaching CCD. She was a member of Our Lady’s Sodality, The St. Clare League of Catholic Women, The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years.
Evelyn was a devoted and cherished mother and a loving, supportive grandmother, a role which brought her much happiness. She found great joy cheering on her grandchildren at sporting events, dance recitals, and musicals. Family and friends very much enjoyed Evelyn’s love of baking and quick, witty sense of humor.
Evelyn was predeceased by her son, Thomas David, and sisters Marguerite Barton, and Gertrude McLellan, and her brothers Major David Walsh USMC and John Walsh. She is survived by her son Kevin and his wife Celeste, daughters Maureen Daher, Ann and her husband Daniel McDuffie, Eileen and her husband David Jaffe and Patricia and her husband Mark Pelletier. She is survived by her eight grandchildren: Kenneth and Nicholas Daher, Brenna and Hannah McDuffie, Sarah and Katherine Jaffe, and Marcus and Maggie Pelletier. She also leaves her sister Marie Busby, her brother Edward Walsh and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Parish, 118 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA 01843 or Massachusetts Alzheimer Disease Research Center at Mass General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114.
A funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, November 5, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Church, 118 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA at 11:00am. Burial will follow in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in North Andover. Friends and relatives will be received by the family at the church at 10:30am prior to the Mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover, MA, 01845. For more information or to send an online condolence please visit our website at: www.breenfuneralhome.com.