Judith A. Devitt of West Roxbury died on April 11, 2023. She was the daughter and only child of the late Frank and Margaret Devitt; her father died in 1973, and her mother in 1981. Judy was hired as a secretary to the late Msgr. Thomas J. Finnegan, then-chancellor of the archdiocese. Barely out of high school, she probably did not imagine that she would be at the center of the archdiocese for the next three decades.
Read moreOn Holy Saturday, April 8, 2023, the courageous and faith-filled struggle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, which Father Thomas D. Stegman, SJ, waged for the past several years ended with his death at Campion Center, Weston.
Read moreA priest of the archdiocese since his ordination on Feb. 2, 1961, who spent two-thirds of his active priestly ministry at St. Joseph Parish, Medford, died in Weymouth on April 4, 2023. He had turned 87 on Feb. 8, 2023.
Read moreFather Peter P. Nolan, CSSp., an Irish-born missionary to Nigeria, a priest serving in the archdiocese since 1982, and an inveterate Irishman, died at Regina Cleri in Boston on March 14, 2023. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he was the eldest of the six children of the late Patrick and Mary (Gorevan) Nolan. Raised in a staunchly Catholic family, he was educated by the Sisters of Charity, the Irish Christian Brothers, and the Holy Ghost Fathers, now known more familiarly as the Spiritans. The Spiritans were the prime influence on Father Nolan's vocational decision as he was especially enthusiastic about their missionary activity.
Read moreFather Aidan J. Walsh, a priest of the archdiocese since his incardination on May 15, 1998, died in Boston on March 4, 2023. He was born in the Hub's Jamaica Plain section on Jan. 21, 1940. He was the last surviving of the eight children of the late John and Elizabeth (Gill) Walsh; among his deceased siblings was a sister, Sister Mary (Donatus) Walsh, CSJ.
Read moreUntil just a few weeks ago, he was regularly returning to his home parish in South Boston to celebrate Mass. So, although he was just two months shy of his 99th birthday and three months shy of his 75th anniversary of ordination, the death on March 1, 2023, of Msgr. Albert J. Contons was very much a surprise.
Read moreSeveral of our priests texted me at the news of the death of Msgr. Peter Martocchio, their comments were roundly complimentary and best summed up as "he was a great guy." It would not be too much to add, and this would be from brother priests and parishioners, he was a fine priest.
Read moreBrother Alphonsus Maria (Brendan) MacGovern, MICM (May 14) in Still River. Funeral Mass celebrated May 24 at Saint Benedict Abbey, Still River, for the son of the late Francis and Rose (Casey) MacGovern. During 74 years of religious life, Brother Alphonsus Maria, a Boston native, served in various apostolates of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Still River. Brother Alphonsus Maria was buried in the Abbey Cemetery, Still River.
Peter M. Sughrue (May 16) in Bridgehampton, N.Y. Funeral Mass celebrated May 23 at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Bridgehampton, N.Y., for the father of Peter and Justin, both of New York, N.Y.; and brother of Father Paul S. Sughrue, Saint Brigid, Lexington; and Virginia Crowley, Kennebunkport, Maine. Mr. Sughrue was buried in Edgewood Cemetery, Bridgehampton, N.Y.
Father James R. Nunes, MS (May 7) in Boston. Funeral Mass celebrated May 13 at Saint Nicholas of Myra Church, Dighton, for the son of the late Robert and Shirley (Coyle) Nunes, and brother of Ann Lopes, Doris Silva, and Deborah Ponte, all of Taunton. During 31 years of priestly ministry, Father Nunes served in assignments of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette in N.H.; N.Y.; and, locally, at Saint Mary of the Assumption, Brookline; and as a hospital chaplain at Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, Brighton; and Beth Israel Medical Center, Boston. Father Nunes was buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Taunton.
John M. Picardi (May 11) in Derry, N.H. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Saint Robert Bellarmine Church, Andover, for the husband of Eva (Paoletti) Picardi, Derry, N.H.; and father of Teresa Reddington, Dublin, Ireland; Richard, Derry, N.H.; and the late Father John M. Picardi; and brother of Michael, Arlington. Committal services will be at the convenience of the family.
John J. Lyver (May 9) in Burlington. Funeral Mass celebrated May 12 at Saint Margaret Church, Burlington, for the brother of the late Sister Julie Celia (Mary) Lyver, SNDdeN. Mr. Lyver was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Sister Jacqueline (Mother Mary Cecile) Jelley, SHCJ (April 26) in Rosemont, Penn. Funeral Mass celebrated May 11 at Holy Child Chapel, Rosemont, Penn., for the daughter of the late Earl and Grace (Sayers) Jelley. During 72 years of religious life, Sister Jacqueline served in congregational assignments in Washington, D.C.; Calif.; N.Y.: and, locally, at Saint Mary of the Annunciation, Melrose. Sister Jacqueline was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia, Penn.
Sister Ellen (Saint Margaret) Pumphret, CSJ (May 3) in Framingham. Funeral Mass celebrated May 9 at Holy Family Chapel, Brighton, for the daughter of the late John and Ann (Sullivan) Pumphret, and sister of Margaret Amata and Francis, both of Boston. During 73 years of religious life, Sister Ellen served at Fontbonne Academy, Milton; Saint Clement, Somerville; Mount Saint Joseph, Brighton; Arlington Catholic High, Arlington; Saint Joseph, Medford; Sacred Heart, Newton; and Bethany Health Care, Framingham. Sister Ellen also served as an area councilor of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Sister Ellen was buried in Saint Patrick Cemetery, Natick.
Mary Louise (Sweet) Parrish (May 7) in Framingham. Funeral Mass celebrated May 13 at Saint Joseph Church, Needham, for the wife of Stanley, Framingham; and mother of Father Bryan K. Parrish, Saint Joseph, Needham; Mark, Needham; and JoAnn Dawson, Auburn. Mrs. Parrish was buried in Saint Mary Cemetery, Canton.
Deirdre (Gavin) Hager (April 25) in Brighton. Funeral Mass celebrated May 3, 2023, at Saint Columbkille Church, Brighton, for the mother of Gavin, West Newfield, Maine; Philip, McLean, Va.; Kristen, Breinigsville, Penn.; and Audrey Barker, Montrose, Victoria, Australia.; and sister of the late Father Carney E. Gavin. Mrs. Hager was buried in the National Cemetery, Bourne.