Mary Ruth (Byrne) Neilan

HOLDEN/MILFORD – Mary Ruth (Byrne) Neilan, age 94, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, March 3, 2023 at St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham. Born in Milford, she was the daughter of the late John and Margaret (Malloy) Byrne. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, John P. Neilan, Sr., who passed away in 2008.

She is survived by her children, Nancy O’Neill and her husband, Peter of Natick; John Neilan and his wife, Lorraine of Holden; Maura Rodino and her husband, Ross of Natick, 3 sisters, Margaret Cozzens of Littleton, Regina DelVecchio and her husband, Lawrence of Milford, Ann Marie Wiley and her husband, Kenneth of Littleton; 9 grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Mary F. (Neilan) Regan of Oak Bluffs.

She is also predeceased by her brother, Thomas Byrne and his wife, Pauline; 3 brothers-in-law, Robert Neilan, John Regan and Donald Cozzens; and a sister-in-law, Cornelia Neilan.

Mary was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Milford, class of 1946 and attended secretarial school. She worked as a Welcome Wagon greeter of Holden, a monitor at Wachusett Regional High School and as a medical secretary at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. She also volunteered on the Commission for Women of the Diocese of Worcester.

She was a dedicated, accomplished homemaker, an excellent hostess and enthusiastic gardener. She devoted her life to her family, raising her children and in her later years, engaging daily with her nine grandchildren. She attended Mass daily at St. George’s Church in Worcester, where she was not only a founding and longtime member, but a CCD teacher and member of the Lady’s Guild. She delivered communion to the elderly in her parish for many years. Her strong and unwavering faith grounded her daily life.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mary’s family from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 8, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. There will be a calling hour from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on Thursday, March 9, at the St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 17 Winter St., Milford, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Milford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Perkins School for the Blind by mail at 175 N Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472 or online at www.perkins.org or to St. George’s Church, 40 Brattle St., Worcester.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit her tribute wall.