Loved to travel and socialize
MELROSE — Doreen Theresa Walsh, age 90, of Melrose, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2022 after a period of illness. Born in Malden to James F. Sheehan and Deborah (Shea) Sheehan in 1932, Doreen was a resident of Melrose for almost 60 years.
Doreen was predeceased by her husband, Michael F. Walsh, who passed away in 2015. She leaves a son, Michael J. of Methuen; daughter-in-law, Catherine (DiFiore); grandson, Michael R; and granddaughter, Jamie. She leaves a daughter, Maura Walsh of Andover; son-in-law, Dennis Reidy; granddaughter, Meghan McPhee-McGloin and her husband, Rory, of Reading. She also leaves her granddog, Frankie Walsh of Andover.
Doreen graduated from Cheverus High School in Malden and went to work at New England Telephone after graduating from secretarial school. After marrying Michael in 1959, she started her most challenging job, staying home and raising two children.
Doreen loved to travel with her husband to Bermuda and Aruba, which they did almost every year. She loved spending two weeks on Cape Cod with her family every summer.
Doreen especially enjoyed socializing, either at home or out with friends. She was able to put the teakettle on and put out some sort of baked goods faster than anyone around. She could also be ready at a moment’s notice if one of her friends or her sister, Peg, called to see if she wanted to go for a ride.
Doreen had so many good friends and acquaintances. She was a very active member of the North Shore Irish Association and Saint Mary’s Sodality.
For the last six years of her life, Doreen resided at The Residence at Melrose Station, starting in Assisted Living and moving to Memory Care this past Memorial Day. As one of the first residents to join the community, she became very active and got to know everyone, becoming known as The Ambassador and working as the cashier at The Residence Pop Up Store. We cannot thank everyone enough at The Residence for the care, love and support shown to Doreen and to her family.
Doreen is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Margaret Sheehan of Milton, MA; Jeanette Sheehan of Wakefield; and Anne (Walsh) Gaudette and her husband, William of Hummelstown, PA and her brothers-in-law, John (Jack) Walsh of Medford, MA and Joseph Walsh of Lexington, MA.
Doreen was predeceased by her sister, Margaret (Peg) Moriarty and her husband, John of Malden, MA; her brother, Donald Sheehan of Milton, MA; sister Eileen Charron and her husband William of Colorado Springs, CO; brother James (Jimmy) Sheehan of Melrose, MA; her in laws, John and Margaret Walsh of Somerville, MA; sister-in-law Catherine (Sis) Donnelly and her husband, Thomas, of Arlington, MA; sister-in-law, Marie Walsh of Medford, MA; and sister-in-law Joan Walsh of Lexington, MA.
She also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, both here and in Ireland.
Visiting Hours were held on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. A funeral Mass was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at St. Mary’s Church, 4 Herbert St., Melrose. Interment followed the Mass at Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan St., Melrose. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Doreen’s name may be made to Boston Catholic TV at P.O. Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA 02471 or online at www.catholictv.org/donate. The Daily television Mass allowed her to stay close to her faith and brought her happiness. To leave an online message of condolence please visit gatelyfh.com.
