Worcester-Barbara Mullaly passed peacefully on January 10, 2015. She was 94 years old.
Born Barbara B. Howard in Worcester on August 30, 1920 to James J. Howard and Lena M. Brennan, Mrs. Mullaly graduated South High School in 1938 and Worcester City Hospital in 1941 and later went on to receive both her Bachelor and Master degrees at Boston University. Mrs. Mullaly’s nursing career spanned work at Worcester City Hospital and the Department of Public Health in Worcester and Auburn. She also was a Lieutenant JG in the Navy from 1944 until 1946 and remained on inactive duty until 1953. Mrs. Mullaly had a long association with Fitchburg State College and retired from nursing faculty there in 1990 upon which she was commended by the Board of Trustees for her “excellent work as a teacher and advisor to the hundreds of students whom you served…” Barbara’s commitment to nursing, education, and her community were evident throughout her life. She contributed endlessly to a variety of volunteer organizations and her enthusiasm for the importance they played never waned. She was a friend and colleague to many and was abundantly positive, cheerful and always saw the good in every situation. Barbara was a life-long communicant of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. Mrs. Mullaly was predeceased by her first husband, Dr. Wilfred Mac Donald and a step son from that marriage, Paul MacDonald. She is survived by two step sons from that marriage and two grandchildren. They are Terence S. MacDonald of Charlottesville, VA and Wilfred MacDonald of Yorktown, VA and his daughters, Casey MacDonald of Houston TX and Shonnie MacDonald of Tampa FL. Mrs. Mullaly was also predeceased by her second husband, Joseph Michael Mullaly and her stepson, Lawrence Mullaly. She is survived by 3 stepchildren from that marriage: Patricia Mullaly of Cotuit, MA; Lorraine Logan of Franklin, MA, and Claudia Mullaly Assmus of Fairfax, CA., and 4 grandchildren: Sean Mullaly, Alex and James Logan and Michael Assumus.
The Funeral will be held Friday, January 16 from CALLAHAN~FAY AND CASWELL Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle Street with a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant Street. Burial will follow in Saint John's Cemetery. A visiting hour will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the funeral home, prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehab. Center, 300 Barber Ave., Worcester, 01606.