Loretta (MacLellan) Grogan, daughter of the late John G. and Katherine MacLellan of Tewksbury, passed into eternal life on Friday, October 12, 2018. She was 99 and one half years old.
Loretta was born at home in Dunvegan, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia on May 26, 1919. She emigrated with her family to Tewksbury, Mass. where she grew up. She attended Tewksbury schools and was a communicant of Saint Williams Parish in her formative years.
In 1960, she married her beloved husband, Attorney Philip Grogan, who pre-deceased her. They lived in Watertown where Philip was Town Counsel and then Town Clerk for many years. They were communicants of Saint Luke’s Parish. Together in Watertown, they lived a lively life filled with friends, relations and neighbors, all of whom enjoyed their hospitality immensely.
After her husband’s untimely death, Loretta moved to Andover and continued to share her home, her generous spirit, her faith and her sense of fun and laughter with those she loved. Her many dinner parties were filled with love, music, flowers, good food and fun. A true friend of those in need, her joyful support brought happiness to many. She was a communicant of St. Augustine’s Parish where she continued to make friends and enjoy the community.
She made friends wherever she went but her faith and her family were her center.
She is survived by her sister, Margaret Berube of Andover, and her sister in law, Ann MacLellan of Tewksbury, as well as many nieces and nephews who will never forget her. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Marian Hanley, Josephine Hedstrom, A.D. MacLellan, Sarah MacLellan and John G. MacLellan, Jr.
The family is grateful to the nurses and staff at D’Youville Manor in Lowell for their tender and loving care of Loretta at the end of her life. We are especially grateful to Gabriela Zunega who brought so much comfort to Loretta every day.
Loretta will be waked at Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury on Tuesday, October 16, from 4-7 p.m.. Her funeral procession will begin on Wednesday, October 17 at 10:30 a.m at the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Augustine’s Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876 or to The Pine Street Inn, 44 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118.