Keohane Funeral Home

Elaine Ruth (Koch) Moriarty passed away peacefully on April 13th after a period of declining health with all four children by her side.

Elaine was born on June 9, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the second child of Ruth Evelyn (Morrison) and Frank Leo Koch. Her older brother was the late Frank Koch. A large extended family in the Ashmont section of Dorchester surrounded Elaine in her early years.

Elaine met the love of her life, John Joseph Moriarty, on July 3, 1951, when she was sixteen. At this young age, Elaine and John knew they were soulmates. Elaine decided to become a Catholic before the couple married on November 7, 1953, at Saint Gregory’s Church in Dorchester.

Elaine and John settled in Dorchester’s Saint Margaret’s parish. After having their fourth child, the couple bought their home in Weymouth. Elaine and John kept their close connections to Dorchester with weekend visits to spend time with their friends. Elaine’s best friend, Millie O’Day, was the sister she never had. Millie, her husband Jim, John, and Elaine enjoyed decades of friendship celebrating Dorchester Day, Saint Patrick’s Day, weekends at the Irish Village, Fourth of July, and many other events with their more extensive group of Dorchester friends. Elaine enjoyed meeting new people after the death of her husband in 2001 through the Weymouth Club, Abington Art Association, K Club in Dorchester, and the Weymouth Senior Center. She was always creative, and she pursued painting in her later years. She loved the swan boats in the Public Garden and often painted and repainted several versions from her fond memories.

Elaine was a devoted Catholic. She enjoyed attending Sunday morning Mass at Saint Jerome’s and visiting with her sister-in-law, Marilyn (Honey) Koch. Elaine enjoyed taking rides with her cousin June Kennedy, having lunch, and ending the day with a stop at Nantasket Beach. Her sister-in-law and cousin became weekly companions as she got older. Her son-in-law, Jim Sheehan, helped her live independently in her home until earlier this year. Elaine’s greatest wish was to remain independent and able to do all the things she still wanted to pursue. Elaine would gladly jump on any opportunity to head to Twin River Casino. She never hit big, but she enjoyed the challenge.

Elaine leaves behind her son and three daughters and their families. John “Jack” and his children Jacqueline Wehrli, Sean, Tim, and Griffin Moriarty. Elaine and her husband, John McGillivray, and their daughter, Colleen Jewers. Michele and her husband, Van Heffernan, their sons Christopher and John, Janice Sheehan, and her daughter Alexandra. Elaine was also blessed to have five great-grandchildren, Ella and James Wehrli, Catherine Jewers, and twins Griffin and John Moriarty.

Elaine’s family would like to thank the Pratt Fifth Floor nurses at South Shore Hospital, especially Amanda and Sydney, for their outstanding care. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to Dana-Faber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, Massachusetts 02284, or via dana-farber.org/gift

Services will be held at Saint Jerome’s Church in North Weymouth on Saturday, April 20th, with a visiting hour 9:30-10:30, followed by a mass at 10:30. A burial will immediately follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in South Weymouth.