Marge was born in South Boston, aka Southie, on March 24th, 1933, and with her parents, Benjamin Franklin McAuliffe and Annie Violette McAuliffe (Trefry), moved to the family home on Columbia Road at the age of 8. Marge loved everything about her home and Southie; especially her lovely view of the ocean, that she swam in for many years.
Marge attended Gate of Heaven High School and when her father “Benny” passed when she was 14, she began working various jobs on Broadway to help support the family.
Marge married her beloved husband of 65 years, William “Bill” Moran of Dorchester, in 1954. Together they began raising their family, Michael Moran and his wife Gloria, Steven Moran and Patricia Fregeau all of South Boston.
Marge was very active in the community and neighborhood. She was a member of St Peter’s PTA, where she helped organize the annual Church Bazaar held on the chapel grounds on East 7th Street, and Minstrel Shows held at South Boston High.
Marge loved her 3 children immensely, but nothing compared to the love she developed for her 7 grandchildren; Harrison, Ruby, and Cameron Fregeau, and Stephanie, Samantha, Sarah, and Steven Moran.
Gram/Granny developed a unique bond with each of her grandchildren. She recognized their individual personalities and tailored her love, support and guidance to meet their needs. An annual highlight for each of the grandchildren came on their birthdays. Gram/Granny would take each on a solo outing where they ate their favorite food, shopped, played, and weren’t required to vie for her attention, they had her all to themselves.
Marge was an avid reader and was always interested in history, geography, politics, business and travel. Together with Bill, they visited Ireland, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona. Undoubtedly, a favorite of theirs, was the annual fall trip to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park in Maine.
Marge visited London, Paris, Chicago, and multiple trips to New York City with her daughter Patti and a very special trip to Iceland with her eldest grandchild Harrison.
As Bill grew tired of travel, that didn’t stop Marge. She planned solo trips to Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and the Baltics. Making connections along the way, sharing stories and meals with fellow travelers.
Marge led by example and her core values were apparent: patience, love, determination and respect. Marge had the ability of putting us “all in our place” when needed. Careful to address a less than perfect behavior, and never the individual.
When Marge spoke…we listened!
The loss of Marge has left us all with a broken heart but her love, memories, and lessons learned are slowly filling the void. Till the end, Marge was caring for us. The day after she passed we discovered a note from her in a binder with various important information.
The note reads as follows:
“Hi, If you are using this, I guess I am not here.
I wish you luck, have patience, it really makes it easier.
Love you all from the very beginning, to the very end”
Marge is predeceased by her husband, William “Bill” Moran, her sister Josephine and brother Joseph. She leaves many beloved nieces and nephews, most notably her nephew James Fowler and his wife Bonnie. A very special friend and neighbor, Pat Née and her hair stylist extraordinaire of 43 years, Lenore “Lee” Stafford.
Our family extends much gratitude to Tufts Medical Center and Care Dimensions Hospice for holding our hands so we could hold hers.
Rest easy Marge, Mom, Gram, Granny,
With love and utmost respect,
Your adoring family xo
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at The Casper Funeral Home, 187 Dorchester Street, South Boston Wednesday, Oct 9 from 4:00- 7:00P.M.. Followed by a Mass of Christian burial in The Gate of Heaven Church, South Boston Thursday at 11:30a.m.