Mary P. (Walsh) Moran

Mary P. (Walsh) Moran, 88, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Mary was a New Year’s baby and the first baby born in 1935 in Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (McGovern) Walsh from County Cork and County Cavan, Ireland, respectively. Her loving husband of fifty years, Donald “Mickey” Moran, predeceased her in 2009.

Mary is the definition of a “twinkle in your eye and a song in your heart” and truly had a life well lived. 

She loved to laugh and have fun. Her life was filled with music - whether it be through teaching, directing musicals, having her kids’ bands practice in their basement or rewriting lyrics of songs to sing at birthdays, weddings and celebrations. She was always singing around the house - even if she didn’t know the words! - and the first to get out on the dance floor.

As they say in Ireland, Mary had the “gift of gab”. She was a magnet. People loved her and she could talk to anyone. One summer she was walking along the beach on the Cape and started a conversation with an older woman. As they strolled near the Kennedy Compound, the woman stopped and asked Mary if she wanted to come in. Mary said, “Do you think that’s all right?” The woman took off her hat and sunglasses and said, “I’m Rose Kennedy. Of course it’s all right!” and Mary had movie night with the Kennedys.

Mary spent most of her life in Worcester. Her children joked she was “Mayor Mary” - and knew everyone. It would take forever to get through the supermarket because someone was always stopping to talk to her. She had amazing groups of lifelong friends: The Bridge Club, The Pearls, and The Golf Queens to name a few.

Mary went to Ascension High School. She liked to tell the story of the nuns stopping the Senior Prom in the middle of the night for everyone to say the Our Father. Mary went to Worcester State College where she met the love of her life, Mickey. She graduated in 1958 and started teaching at Midland Street School. She got married during school vacation week, April 18, 1959. 

Mary joked that she missed the 60’s, having four children during that time; two within 13 months.

Mary loved teaching and inspired thousands of students throughout her career at Midland Street, City View, St. Nicholas, Burncoat Senior High, Leicester High School and others. She also was ahead of her time as a yoga teacher at night - before people really knew what yoga was!

She instilled a love of reading through music - often with students who had been passed through the system. She started innovative programs where students learned the lyrics of songs throughout the week to culminate on Friday morning All School Sing Alongs where hundreds of students gathered in the gymnasium to sing and energize the school. 

Mary was named Teacher of the Year in Worcester in 1992 and awarded the Key to the City.

Besides teaching, Mary also impacted the community in other ways. When her daughter wanted to continue to play softball, but there was no league for girls after age 12, Mary stepped up to be President of the Jesse Burkett League in Worcester. (The girls went on to compete in the State championships and had to borrow the boys uniforms.)

Mary co-directed hundreds of high school kids in the CYC musical shows at Christ the King Church, with her friend Carolyn Currie.   

Mary lived in Worcester nearly all of her life but was also able to experience the world. Her kids took her to London, Paris, Italy, Alaska and Hawaii. She golfed at Pebble Beach. She and Mickey were named Lord and Lady of Bunratty Castle in Ireland. One of Mary’s favorite spots was on the porch, with a glass of wine, overlooking Buttermilk Bay sunsets on the Cape. 

Her spirit of adventure and her patience shone through as she and Mickey took the kids on a six-week cross country trip visiting The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, The Rockies and more. (Mary was not a fan of pulling a trailer, while on the edge of winding mountain roads with no guardrails. But her faith, and Mickey’s driving pulled her through it!)

Mary suffered a stroke in 2020, resulting in loss of speech and mobility. This was especially difficult for someone who loved talking and reading and singing to suddenly not be able to talk or read or sing. But, she had an indestructible spirit. It was her wish to live on her own. Her daughters Maura and Erin were with her every week to enable her to stay in independent living at Southgate in Shrewsbury. Even with limited speech, she became well-loved at Southgate and always had a smile and never complained. She was often seen on the bridge (“the spy window”) where she could see what was going on and buzzed around on her electric scooter. Thanks to the Southgate team and all the caregivers helping Mary over these last few years. We especially want to thank Heena Nissaraly, who we truly believe was sent to us from above.  

Heena started as a nursing aide just after college. When Heena started a full-time job elsewhere, she continued visiting and volunteering time with Mary as a friend. Mary proudly accepted Heena's invitation to attend her delayed 2020 Boston College graduation, in place of her parents, who were unable to travel from Madagascar. The BC Commencement speaker Steve Pemberton called out Heena and Mary during his speech saying, "Family is not just what you are born into, it's also who you find along the way." His book, "A Chance in the World", details how his horrible struggles in foster care were changed by a teacher. This book is a mirror example of Mary and the impact teachers can have. Coincidentally, that book was the last book Mary had read before her stroke. 

Perhaps one of the greatest lessons Mary taught was as a role model as a parent and friend and that making time for family and friends is a priority in life. Mary’s children and grandchildren were her greatest joy. She was incredibly proud of her family. She was the loving mother to Michael P. Moran and his wife Nancy of Huntington, New York, Erin Moran McCormick and her husband Matt of Medfield, MA, James Walsh Moran and his wife Patty of Park City, UT and Maura Moran Cutting and her husband Bill of Needham, MA.  She is survived by her grandchildren Elizabeth, Joe and Mary Cutting, Jack and Lily McCormick, Mickey, Kyle and Ryan Moran and Tim Moran and his wife Christina and their children, Chloe, Mackenzie and Jack. Mary also leaves behind her "granddaughter" Heena Nissaraly, who without a doubt became and will forever be a part of Mary's family. 

Mary is predeceased by her sister Margaret (Walsh) Giannino and her husband, Leo Giannino. Mary is survived by her brother John Walsh and his wife Gail, her cousin Marge Sage and her husband Jim, and many nieces and nephews.

Mary leaves a legacy of love. It is fitting that her funeral is on Valentine’s Day to celebrate a lifetime of love and joy that she brought into this world.

A Funeral Mass to celebrate Mary’s life will be held Tuesday, February 14 at 11 am at St. Mary’s Parish, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Monday, February 13 from 4 to 7 pm at Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Street, Worcester.

Mary’s Funeral Mass will be live streamed on the St. Mary’s of Shrewsbury Facebook page for those who are unable to attend. The link is: https://www.facebook.com/StMarysShrewsburyMA/

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Donald and Mary Moran Scholarship at Worcester State University, that enables aspiring teachers to continue their education.