Marjorie M. (Keenan) Callahan

Callahan, Marjorie M. (Keenan) of Braintree, passed away on August 3, 2022.   

Born in Brighton, a daughter of the late Frederick and Julia (Fahey) Keenan, Marjorie was a resident of Braintree for many years. Beloved wife of the late William J. Callahan. Loving mother of Karen L. Stacey and her husband, Bob, of Hull, Joan S. Nevins and her husband, Bob, of Hingham, and Kevin E. Callahan and his husband, Francisco Gonzalez of Oakland, CA. Sister of Joan Barry and her late husband, Bob, of Wareham, formerly of Bayonet Point Florida. Grandmother of Allison, Christopher, and Matthew Nevins. Also survived by several nieces and nephews: Kevin Barry, Kyle Pardo, Colleen O’Neil, Sharon Riley, Timothy Riley, Brian Riley, and Andy Riley. 

Marjorie earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Bridgewater State College and her master’s degree in education from Boston University. She taught elementary school in Waban before meeting her husband Bill and starting their family in Braintree. After raising her 3 children, she continued her teaching career as a substitute with St Francis of Assisi School. Marjorie also was a long time Mary Kay consultant, a sewing instructor for Stretch and Sew, and a customer service agent at the UPS Call Center in Norwood. 

As a young family, the Callahans spent vacations in Falmouth, Cape Cod as well as in New Hampshire at the family resort, The Elms. The Elms was a special place in Marjorie’s life as this is where she met her husband Bill as her own parents had also met at The Elms in the 1920’s. Marjorie vacationed at The Elms as a child with her parents and sister and continued that tradition for many years through the mid-80s with her own family and her sister’s family. Marjorie took many trips with family and friends including several family trips to Florida, Caribbean cruises with Bill, visits with her son in California, London, a cruise to Alaska, Grand Canyon & National Parks Tour, Canada, and to Ireland with her son where they both attended Irish Language School. 

She and Bill were avid dancers and loved to Fox Trot, Waltz, and square dance as members of Braintree’s Cochato Club and twice clinched the winning title of the Boston Edison’s Annual Ball waltz competition. They also both enjoyed jazz music. Bill, who played the saxophone with the Bill Callahan Band, always closed his sets with the song “Margie”. Sewing was one of Marjorie’s hobbies and she often made beautiful dresses for dancing at the Cochato Club and Edison Balls and later made several memorable Halloween costumes for her grandchildren. Sharing her Dad’s interest in woodworking, she made several pieces of outdoor furniture and play equipment for her children. 

Marjorie is best remembered as a fervent Red Sox fan! She supported the team from a young age following her Mom’s strong interest and with Ted Williams living up the street from her Brighton home. She attended games at Fenway and watched every game as well as the replays. It was a dream come true when the Sox reversed “The Curse” and won the 2004 World Series. 

Marjorie was actively involved in many local organizations; she was a member of the Catholic Daughter’s Club at Saint Francis of Assisi Church, a member of the Braintree Gardeners’ Guild, Braintree Woman’s Club and a longtime member of the Braintree Senior Center where she attended yoga classes and many events with close longtime friends as well as new ones. Marjorie also enjoyed playing tennis as a young girl and played in tournaments at The Elms and later in life with friends as a member of the Weymouth Club. 

Marjorie lived life gracefully and selflessly – dancing with Bill, raising her children, sharing a close relationship with her sister, and socializing with her many friends. She will be deeply missed by all those that knew and loved her. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Friday, August 12th, from 4-8 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). Relatives and friends will gather in the funeral home at 9 AM on Saturday, August 13th, prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Braintree at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Braintree Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Norwell VNA and Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061 or to Wellspring, 814 Nantasket Avenue, Hull, MA 02045.