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Marguerite M. (McLaughlin) CANAVAN
March 31, 2020

Obituary

Marguerite M. (McLaughlin) Canavan, of Winthrop, passed away on March 31, 2020. She was 86 years old. She was the beloved wife of the late John A. Canavan Jr. Marguerite was born in Cambridge to the late John and Nora (O’Neill) McLaughlin.

Marguerite grew up in Belmont and moved to Winthrop upon marrying her beloved John in 1959. She became an active member of the Winthrop community, as a long time elected Town Meeting member, member and past President of the Winthrop Catholic Women’s Club and a CCD teacher at St. John the Evangelist parish, among other things.
Marguerite fell in love with Cape Cod at an early age and enjoyed travelling there with her dear sister Madeline and their families. She and John purchased a second home in Centerville and spent many years there enjoying the beach and all the Cape had to offer.
Marguerite’s joy in life was raising her five children. As she described herself in a letter published in the Boston Globe, she was a “contented stay at home” mother. That letter was published while she was away with her husband on vacation in Hawaii – an irony not lost on Marguerite. She was a gracious and generous host and opened her home to her children’s friends – entertaining them with jokes and nourishing them with her superb cooking.
She loved travelling with her family and instilled a love of travel in her children and grandchildren. She and John enjoyed their many trips with Marguerite’s sister Madeline and brother in law Joe, her sister in law Ellie and husband Herbie and her dear cousin Marjorie and her husband Jack – travelling to Ireland, Europe, Morocco, the Canary Islands, throughout the Caribbean and the United States. John made sure to memorialize the trips through his photography and documentary skills.
Her family and friends remember her as being quick-witted, clever and generous to a fault. She was a voracious reader until the end of her life. Marguerite was quite the card sharp, teaching her children and grandchildren various card games. She especially loved playing bridge with her Winthrop friends.
In her later years, Marguerite received superb care at home from her devoted daughter Dianne and many other wonderful, compassionate caregivers.
She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Marguerite was a retired elementary school teacher. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Emmanuel College and her Master’s in Education from Boston College. She was Past President of the Winthrop Catholic Woman’s Club and a member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club Ladies Bowling League.

Marguerite was the devoted mother of the Hon. John A. Canavan III of Marshfield, Maureen L. Canavan and Dianne M. Canavan, both of Winthrop, James A. Canavan of Hull and Jeanne C. Downey of Mattapoisett. She was the adored grandmother of John A. IV and Theresa Canavan, Gabrielle and Charles Gosselin, Margaret, Caitlin and Jenna Canavan, Aidan, Kathleen, Liam and Julia Downey. Marguerite was the dear sister of the late Madeline Hurley and her late husband Joe, Mary Anne Dailey and John McLaughlin. She was the sister-in-law of Eleanor C. Bober of Chatham. Marguerite is also survived by her nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and her cherished caregivers.

Funeral Services will be private. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to a charity of your choice.

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Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home
210 Winthrop Street
Winthrop, MA 02152
617-846-0909