GALLIGAN, Lauretta Ellen (Durkin), 97, of Westwood, peacefully entered eternal rest at Clark House on July 25, 2017. Beloved wife of the late Thomas J. Galligan, Jr. with whom she shared 66 years of marriage. Born in Syracuse, NY, Lauretta was a devoted spouse, mother of five sons, grandmother, great-grandmother, and engaged friend to many over the years. Her abiding joy and enthusiasm was raising her family in Newton and especially in later years with multi-generation family gatherings and reunions at the summer home in Osterville. She was friend to many over the years and active with her husband in many business, community and social activities in the Boston area as a member of the Board of Overseers at Boston Symphony Orchestra, World Affairs Council, and Board of Directors for H.P. Hood. Lauretta and Tom were very engaged in fund raising campaigns for Boston College and Mass General Hospital. She had travelled to every continent except the Arctic and Antarctic. In 1972, Lauretta was among those profiled in a Time magazine cover story on the role of women in a changing America. Time did a follow-up story with her in 2009. (“I wouldn’t change a thing” she said). She was active over the years as a member of the Oyster Harbors and Wianno clubs in Osterville, and Brae Burn in Newton. In their later years Lauretta and her husband Tom enjoyed an active life at Fox Hill Village. Three years ago she moved to Clark House assisted living at Fox Hill. Lauretta was an engaging and enthusiastic friend whose curiosity about what people thought, and why, was always evident. She loved meeting people and connecting people with each other. For many years, her signature contribution to family Christmas and reunions was a rendition of the poem “Hugs”. Lauretta was one of six children of Irish immigrants John James and Mary Ellen (McKeon) Durkin. Her father was a Navy veteran of the Spanish America War. Lauretta was an alumna of Syracuse University.
She was predeceased by her siblings Ann, Jack, Patrick, Kay, and Dorothy. Lauretta will be sorely missed and long remembered for her abiding devotion to faith and family. She was the loving and devoted mother of: Thomas J. Galligan III and his wife Dr. Ann of Weston; John D. Galligan and his wife Kathleen of Wenham; Christopher M. Galligan and his wife Andrea of So. Hamilton; Martin P. Galligan and his wife Nancy of Wellesley and Peter A. Galligan and his wife Margaret of Needham. Also survived by eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) WELLESLEY, Friday, July 28 from 4-7pm. Funeral Mass in St. Margaret Mary Church, 845 High St., (Rt. 109) Westwood, Saturday, July 29 at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Newton Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Galligan Chair in Strategic Operations, Boston College, Office of University Advancement, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 or St. Margaret Mary Parish, PO Box 386, Westwood, MA 02090.