Elizabeth (Powers) Hehir, beloved wife of the late Edmund J. Hehir, passed away Thursday morning, April 5th at the Stoughton New England Sinai Hospital in Stoughton. She was 91 years old.
Born on January 21, 1921, Elizabeth grew up in Stoughton, she was a daughter to the late John J. and Ella (Reynolds) Powers and a sister to Barbara (Powers) Swaebe and the late Virginia (Powers) Kennedy.
After graduating as high school valedictorian in 1938, she received her B.A. in English from Regis College. While there, she was a member of the honor society, active in many organizations and lettered in horseback riding. Upon graduation until her marriage in 1948, she pursued her M.A. in English, while her jobs required extensive travel in the U.S. and Europe. After raising five children, in 1971, she returned to Boston University as a graduate assistant to finish her English M.A. and then earned a M.S. in Library Science from Simmons College. At 50 years young, she started her third career phase, first as a librarian with the Boston Public Library System, and finally, for 25 years, until her retirement in 1998 at age 78, as head librarian of Norwood High School.
In addition to her love of reading, especially literature and history, and lively political discussions, she was a Boston Symphony season ticket holder; avid fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and Triple Crown; founder of the Canton Chapter of the American Association of University Women; contributor to charities (religious and non) and supporter of political causes. A life-long, staunch Democrat, she attended the Inaugural Ball of President John F. Kennedy.
She is survived by her daughter Maureen (Hehir) and husband David Sweeney; sons Michael, Bryan, Kevin and Edmund Hehir; her granddaughter Katherine (Sweeney) and husband Daniel Pacheco and great grandchild Devon Pacheco; grandsons Sean Sweeney and Liam and Roan Hehir; and sister-in-law Mildred Hehir.
Her funeral mass and celebration of life service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday April 14, 2012 from the Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton Street, Stoughton. The Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, Elizabeth’s nephew, officiating. Visiting hours will be held prior to the funeral mass from 10 – 11:30 am at the Sheehan, Lowe & Powers funeral Home, 115 Monk Street, Stoughton. Memorial donations in Elizabeth’s memory may be made to Catholic Charities, PO BOX 3366, Boston,MA 02241-3366.