McLAUGHLIN, Marianne (McDonnell) of West Roxbury, MA, died on February 12, 2026, at age 77. Marianne, proudly from Jamaica Plain (importantly, Moraine Street) was born in Boston on December 8, 1948, to the late J. Allen and Elizabeth McDonnell. Marianne graduated from Roslindale High School and University of Massachusetts Boston. In 1971, Marianne married her best friend Richard J. McLaughlin. The two met in high school and were married for nearly 55 years. They built a beautiful life in West Roxbury (God’s Country) and were very involved with their community. She leaves behind her sons and their families: David McLaughlin, his wife Meredith, their children Mary, Thomas and Christopher of Redwood City, CA; and Robert McLaughlin, his wife Autumn and their son William of Braintree, MA. She is survived by brothers John McDonnell and his wife Maureen Cowie of West Boylston, MA, Mark McDonnell of Milton, MA, and Ana McDonnell of Framingham, MA. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Mary Walsh of Braintree, MA, and Mary Callahan McLaughlin of Dedham, MA, and many nieces and nephews.
Marianne loved the beach and spent many summer days on Cape Cod and Duxbury Beach. She was known for her impeccable gift wrapping, her beautiful garden and unmatched home décor (especially for Easter when she hosted her extended family). She loved walking in Millenium Park with her friends and driving her old VW convertible. She was a master of crossword puzzles. She and Rich relished their trips abroad, especially Paris, Omaha Beach and Ireland. She felt lucky to have such wonderful daughters-in-law. Most of all, she loved her grandkids.
She enjoyed her work at Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp. and Citizens Energy. She worked with the Fair Housing Commission to ensure fair and equitable access to housing for all people of Boston. She had a strong belief in connecting the people in her community to make it even better.
Visiting Hours will be held on Wednesday, February 18 from 3pm-7pm at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 19 at 10am at St. Theresa of Avila Parish, 2078 Centre St. West Roxbury. Interment Mt. Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boston Children’s Hospital at giving.childrenshospital.org/donate