Mrs. Mary 'Arlene' (Twohig) McNamara, long time resident of Andover, MA & recently Newburyport, MA and beloved wife of the late Walter John McNamara, passed away on January 15, 2026 at age 93.
Born on June 12, 1932, she was the beloved daughter of the late John J. and Margaret A. (Gaffney) Twohig. Growing up in Lynn, MA, she graduated from Lynn High School and worked at GE after graduation, which she really enjoyed working with her dad.
Arlene met her future husband at the Mickey Mouse Club in Revere Beach and married Walter in 1958 starting their life together. The joy of their life was raising Cheryl, Karen and Scott, their beloved children. Especially important was Arlene’s & Walter’s love of all their grandchildren. Arlene & Walter contributed so much to the grandchildren’s well-being. Happily, Arlene was able to meet and she adored her first great-granddaughter.
Arlene loved social events with friends & family. She enjoyed going to professional hockey in Boston & Montreal following Walter’s hockey passion. Arlene always enjoyed being with her sisters Margaret Norton & Joanne Walsh and brother John J. Twohig, Jr. and over the years the growing family became a source of deep enjoyment & pride. Living in Wilmington & Andover was a great joy for Arlene who was very close to many neighbors.
Arlene will be remembered for her very kind heart and love she had for so many people. She was a spiritual life-long Catholic and is happily with her beloved husband in Heaven.
Arlene is survived by her loving family; daughter Cheryl & Lee Haydon of Boca Raton, FL, daughter Karen Majahad of Newburyport, MA, and son Scott & Ana McNamara of Greer, SC. Arlene is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Jeffrey, Kyle & Gregory Haydon, Jacob, Simon & Samuel Majahad, and Karoline, Zachary & Roberto McNamara, and also great-granddaughter Kylina Haydon.
The visitation & prayer will be held at Saint Joseph’s Church, 20 Highvale Lane, Andover, MA on March 28th at 10 am. A funeral mass will follow at 11 am. Interment will be in the West Parish Gardens Cemetery at 129 Reservation Road, Andover MA. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend.
Flowers can be sent to Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home at 390 North Main Street, Andover, MA 01810. For additional information, please visit www.burkemagliozzi.com