Our beloved mother, Carol A. McGaffigan, passed away peacefully at home on December 20th, surrounded by her loving family. She was 87 years old and the cherished daughter of the late Richard G. and Amelia (Dos Santos) Byrnes.
Mom was truly the heart and soul of our family. Her greatest joys were the love she shared with her husband and the privilege of being a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She lovingly raised seven children—Peter, Susan, Richard, Patricia, Kevin, Paul, and Michael—in a warm and nurturing home, guiding each of us to become independent and thoughtful adults. Always present and engaged, she gave generously of her time, supporting our activities from Boy Scouts and Brownie troops to academic pursuits and countless sporting events. Her commitment to faith was unwavering—she taught CCD classes, assisted with the religious education program, and served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life; she lived by it and found strength in it until her final days. Carol shared over 60 wonderful years of marriage with our dad, Peter W. McGaffigan Jr., until his passing. He was truly her soulmate, and together they shaped the people we are today. As a grandmother to 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, she was affectionately known as the “funny grandma,” always cheering on her precious grandkids and offering unwavering love and support. Carol had a creative spirit and a love for crafts. She was a skilled seamstress, making everything from clothes to curtains to boat seat covers. She also mastered crocheting, creating beautiful blankets, baby outfits, and many treasured items that we still hold dear. Summers at her cottage in New Hampshire were a special time for her and our family, filled with laughter, fun, and adventure. Later in life, as she grew weary of New England winters, she became a snowbird, spending time in Manasota Key in Englewood, Florida. She loved the beach, the ocean, and the warmth, and she built a wonderful circle of friends there. Her legacy is one of kindness, generosity, and love. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Funeral from The Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Monday, December 29th at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Sunday, December, 28th from 4 to 8 PM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Carol’s name to the Tufts Medicine Care at Home, 847 Rogers St., Suite 201, Lowell, MA, 01852 or to IPODS for Wounded Veterans, 4 Heather Dr., Wilmington, MA, 01887.