Winnie Breheny was born Winifred Agnes Breheny on March 1, 1932 in County Roscommon, Ireland. She died on November 3, the feast day of her namesake, Saint Winifred.
She was the beloved daughter of Martin and Winifred Breheny, and she grew up with her sister Maggie and brother Tom, both of whom predeceased her.
As a young woman, Winnie moved to England where she lived with her older cousin Mary Breheny. Winnie continued to live with her cousin until Mary’s death in 1999. They came to Boston from England in1958 to be close to Mary’s sister and Winnie’s cousin, Nora Ridge, her husband Mark, and their family.
Winnie and Mary had many wonderful travels during their years together, visiting family in England and Ireland, holy shrines in Europe and annual summer visits to Cape Cod.
Winnie worked as a home health aide and was a devoted and loving caregiver. She retired in 1997 to care for Mary in her final illness.
Winnie was a long-time parishioner at Saint Gabriel’s Church in Brighton. She became friends with members of that church’s Community of Sant'Egidio who watched over her with love and kindness during her final years.
Winnie leaves her cousins, Mary Piso of Framingham, Barbara Ridge of Needham, Patrick Ridge of Sudbury, Geoffrey Foley and Brian Foley of England, Marion Roddy, Patrick and Carmel Breheny and Sean McKiernan of Ireland, friends Mary Mullen, Kerri and Josh Marmol and their families and her beloved Sant’Egidio community.
Visiting hours at the Brady & Fallon Funeral Home 10 Tower St. (Opp. Forest Hills MBTA station) Jamaica Plain on Monday November 9 from 5-7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday November 10 at St. Columbkille's Church, 321 Market St. Brighton at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.