Margaret J. “Marnee” Walsh, 88, of Winchester, passed away peacefully in her family home on September 13, 2025, with her closest friends by her side. She was the beloved daughter of Frederick J, and Theresa R (Molloy) and was predeceased by her brother Frederick. She is survived by her brother Robert Walsh and his wife Sandra of South Burlington VT, nephew Robert Walsh III (FL), nieces Catherine Walsh (VA), Karen Chace (VA), Sharon Lane (MA) and their families, along with her “chosen family” Nancy Sandreuter, Nathan and Melissa Plowman, and their daughters who provided support and care for Marnee, particularly during this past year, and other countless friends.
Marnee spent her early childhood in Swampscott, MA. Her family moved to Winchester when she was 10 years old. She attended Winchester public schools, graduating from Winchester High School in 1955. After college she lived a short time in Arlington, MA but returned to Winchester to care for her mother until she passed at 100 years old. Marnee remained in Winchester and contributed much to the community throughout the rest of her life there.
Marnee was by all accounts, an incredibly respected career woman. Her experiences were vast with her early career beginning in the fashion world at Filene’s, which provided her the opportunity to live and study in NYC at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and was employed at the luxury department store, Bonwit Teller. When Marnee returned to Massachusetts, she joined Rogers and Sands, a staffing agency and then worked with the defense business that was booming on Rte. 128 as a communications specialist. All of these early career opportunities lent themselves to the successful life she would come to have as an accomplished businesswoman.
Marnee was well known in the New England human resources community as a mentor to others and a leader in supporting and promoting the profession. Her career as a prominent HR specialist was expansive and included roles with large companies in the Greater Boston area. She always joked that she realized after retiring that most of the companies she worked for began with the letter “B” (Boston Edison, Boston University, and the Boston Archdiocese). When she retired from Edison in 1996, she opened her own HR consulting business and settled into a new life as a successful, independent business owner for over 29 years. Her clients included Boston City Hospital, Boston Women’s Educational Union, Boston Goodwill Industries, Boston Public Health Commission and Boston Center for Adult Education to name a few.
Despite her impressive work career, where Marnee shined most was in her dedication of time and talents as a volunteer. In 2010, Marnee joined the Winchester Rotary Club, serving on the Board of Directors in various roles. As a past President, Paul Harris award-winner, and a District Officer, her accolades spoke to how much she loved being a Rotarian and valued helping others. The Winchester community benefited greatly from Marnee’s life of service, including her support of the En Ka Society, being a dedicated member of Winton Club, including Producer of Winton Cabaret 2001, and serving as President on the Board of the Jenks Center. But it was her participation in Voices of Hope, a non-profit organization that uses song to raise money for cancer research and education, that she spoke most fondly of. Marnee loved the arts, and she loved music; and she cherished her memories of days with Voices of Hope.
Marnee will be loved and missed forever. She leaves behind her loving family, and countless personal and professional friends, and especially her cat Buddy that she absolutely cherished. Her family extends their gratitude to the care she received from her hospice nurse Marguerita, social worker Ashley and companions AnnaMaria, Tania, Kelmy and Aurea.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Wright-Locke Farm, 78 Ridge St., Winchester, on Sunday, October 12, from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marnee’s memory may be made to Voices of Hope at https://www.vohboston.org .
Marnee spent her early childhood in Swampscott, MA. Her family moved to Winchester when she was 10 years old. She attended Winchester public schools, graduating from Winchester High School in 1955. After college she lived a short time in Arlington, MA but returned to Winchester to care for her mother until she passed at 100 years old. Marnee remained in Winchester and contributed much to the community throughout the rest of her life there.
Marnee was by all accounts, an incredibly respected career woman. Her experiences were vast with her early career beginning in the fashion world at Filene’s, which provided her the opportunity to live and study in NYC at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and was employed at the luxury department store, Bonwit Teller. When Marnee returned to Massachusetts, she joined Rogers and Sands, a staffing agency and then worked with the defense business that was booming on Rte. 128 as a communications specialist. All of these early career opportunities lent themselves to the successful life she would come to have as an accomplished businesswoman.
Marnee was well known in the New England human resources community as a mentor to others and a leader in supporting and promoting the profession. Her career as a prominent HR specialist was expansive and included roles with large companies in the Greater Boston area. She always joked that she realized after retiring that most of the companies she worked for began with the letter “B” (Boston Edison, Boston University, and the Boston Archdiocese). When she retired from Edison in 1996, she opened her own HR consulting business and settled into a new life as a successful, independent business owner for over 29 years. Her clients included Boston City Hospital, Boston Women’s Educational Union, Boston Goodwill Industries, Boston Public Health Commission and Boston Center for Adult Education to name a few.
Despite her impressive work career, where Marnee shined most was in her dedication of time and talents as a volunteer. In 2010, Marnee joined the Winchester Rotary Club, serving on the Board of Directors in various roles. As a past President, Paul Harris award-winner, and a District Officer, her accolades spoke to how much she loved being a Rotarian and valued helping others. The Winchester community benefited greatly from Marnee’s life of service, including her support of the En Ka Society, being a dedicated member of Winton Club, including Producer of Winton Cabaret 2001, and serving as President on the Board of the Jenks Center. But it was her participation in Voices of Hope, a non-profit organization that uses song to raise money for cancer research and education, that she spoke most fondly of. Marnee loved the arts, and she loved music; and she cherished her memories of days with Voices of Hope.
Marnee will be loved and missed forever. She leaves behind her loving family, and countless personal and professional friends, and especially her cat Buddy that she absolutely cherished. Her family extends their gratitude to the care she received from her hospice nurse Marguerita, social worker Ashley and companions AnnaMaria, Tania, Kelmy and Aurea.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Wright-Locke Farm, 78 Ridge St., Winchester, on Sunday, October 12, from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marnee’s memory may be made to Voices of Hope at https://www.vohboston.org .
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