Rosemary Hanley Kearney, 66, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family, on December 19.
She is survived by her devoted husband John P. Kearney, of Milton; her children: Conor & Marisa Kearney of Lexington, Noreen & Brendan Dolan of Milton, and Bridget Kearney of Holyoke; her grandchildren: Maeve, Molly & Ainsley Kearney and Teddy & Brenna Dolan. She is also survived by her mother, Mary Camire, and siblings, Janice and Kelvin Taketa of Honolulu, Mary and Paul Dion of Danvers, Kathy and Brian Trainor of Salisbury, brother James Hanley of Portsmouth NH and many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved dearly.
The wake will be held on Thursday December 21, from 4-8pm at The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St. in West Roxbury. Funeral Services will be held on Friday December 22 at 9:30am at the Paulist Center, 5 Park Street in Boston, with burial to follow at St Joseph’s cemetery in West Roxbury.
Rosemary was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and was devoted to her family and the causes that she cared about: children with special needs, the homeless, and the Walk for Hunger. Her long career included work at many nonprofit agencies, including roles as a special education teacher and as a consultant to companies on family and childcare needs. She attended Boston State College majoring in Psychology, and received her Masters degree in Early Education from Lesley University. At Boston State College she met her husband John (Pat), whom she married in August, 1976. Rosemary and John were happily married for more than 40 years.
Rosemary enjoyed long walks in the Blue Hills, singing and listening to folk music, and talking to her friends and family about the issues of the day. She was very proud to have hiked in the Grand Canyon. Her children will always remember the twinkle in her eye and smile on her face as she enjoyed her husband’s sense of humor or playing with her grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit. By Mail: “MGH Dr. Dickerson Lab” c/o “Rosemary Kearney”, Attn: RaseekaPremchander, 149 13th Street, Suite 2691, Charlestown, MA 02129. Online: https://Giving.MassGeneral.org/FTDUnit