Enjoyed crafts of all kinds
Published in the February 28, 2018 edition
STONEHAM — Margaret (Walsh) O’Brien, 74, of Stoneham, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Mass. General Hospital in Boston on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018.
Margaret was born in Boston on Oct. 26, 1943, one of three children of the late Bernard F. and Kathleen F. (Hargraves) Walsh. A Somerville native, Margaret graduated from Cathedral High School in Boston and Boston State College with a degree in education. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Somerville before staying home to raise a family of four children. On July 6, 1968, she was married to James C. O’Brien Jr. at St. Ann’s Church in Somerville. Margaret and Jim started their family in Somerville where they lived for several years before settling in Stoneham in 1979.
Sociable and friendly, Margaret was a kind, generous woman who was well loved by her family and friends. Every Wednesday for 40 years, she and a group of friends and neighbors on Isabella Street in Stoneham would gather for various craft projects and socializing. Margaret enjoyed crafts of all kinds, especially making cards and gifts for holidays. She loved having her grandchildren over for craft projects. Artistic and skilled with her hands, she enjoyed crotchet and was famous for her holiday fruitcake and homemade fudge.
For many years, Margaret enjoyed gathering with her family and friends for camping at Greenfield State Park in New Hampshire, and she took great pleasure in spending time away with the family at their condo near Weirs Beach, New Hampshire.
In her free time, she enjoyed shopping and delighted even more in giving gifts to others. Margaret was a big fan of the Red Sox and Patriots and a season ticket holder to the Stoneham Theatre where she attended performances with lifelong friends Mike and Ruth. Above all, she will be remembered for her natural kindness to all her family and friends.
Margaret was the beloved wife of the late James C. O’Brien Jr., with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Kathleen A. Murray and her husband Rob of Lynnfield; Michael D. O’Brien and his husband Isaac Chemmanam of South Portland, Maine; Christopher J. O’Brien and his wife Melissa of Andover; and Timothy P. O’Brien of Lynnfield. She was the dear sister of the late Kathleen F. Gilardi and her surviving husband Tony of Melrose; and the late Bernard F. Walsh Jr. She was the cherished grandmother of Sean, Caitlin, Erin, Bridget, Oliver, Charlotte, Austin and Evelyn.
Relatives and friends honored and remembered Margaret’s life by gathering during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Sunday, Feb. 25, and again on Monday, Feb. 26 before leaving in procession for St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham for her Funeral Mass. Interment took place in St. Patrick Cemetery, Stoneham. Gifts in her memory may be made to Cradles to Crayons, 155 N. Beacon St, Brighton, MA 02135. For an online tribute or directions, visit www.robinsonfuneralhome.com.
