Barbara Patricia Coghlan

Barbara Patricia Coghlan, age 78, passed away peacefully in her Millis, Massachusetts home on Thursday, May 17, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 30, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Malachy T. "Mike" and Margaret P. (Judge) Coghlan. She was raised in Charlestown and graduated from the Mount Saint Joseph Academy with the Class of 1957. Barbara continued her education at Regis College, earning her Bachelor's Degree with a focus on Government in 1961.

Barbara married Robert W. Foley in 1962, making their home together in Mattapan, and Barbara took a job as a social worker with the City of Boston. After settling in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1970, Barbara took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her three children, Kathleen, Karen, and Roberta. While living in Quincy, Barbara enjoyed taking an active role in the community. She served as the president of the PTA at the Pollard School, as a devoted member of Saint Joseph's Church, she taught CCD and served as a lector during Sunday Mass, and was a member of the Quincy Investment Club. As an avid reader, Barbara was a member of a book club in Quincy, always looking forward to discussing her latest read with her friends.

While raising her family, Barbara took a position with the Town of Walpole, serving as the Director of the Walpole Council on Aging. She worked tirelessly for the senior citizens of Walpole, ensuring they were always well cared for. Barbara's care for the citizens of Walpole was evident in everything she did, from acquiring transportation for the Walpole Senior Center to sponsoring a bill at the State level to help earn seniors a tax break. She retired from the Town of Walpole in 2013, after 31 dedicated years of service.

In addition to all she did for the communities of Quincy in Walpole, Barbara also volunteered her time as a docent leader at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, was a strong contributor to the Boston Symphony, and was involved with the Museum of Science in Boston.

Most of all, Barbara was devoted to her family, and in 2008, she settled into her daughter's home in Millis to be closer to them. She loved spending summers at Brant Rock with her children, later letting each on of her girls live their after they were married. She was delighted at the birth of her grandchildren, always making sure to celebrate their birthdays with a crisp $100 bill in their cards. When her grandchildren were young, Barbara took an active role in caring for them and as they got older, she regularly brought them to the Boston Pops concerts, museums, and adventurous trips. She was truly a role model to all her grandchildren as they matured.

Former wife of the late Robert W. Foley.
Loving mother of Kathleen B. Doyle and her husband Jay of Millis, Karen B. Connolly and her husband Stephen of Hanover, and Roberta P. Smith and her husband Dainel of Quincy.
Cherished grandmother of Malachy, Mallory, Trevor, Sean, A.J., Nicholas, Olivia, and Jackson.
Sister of Margaret "Fizza" Lake and her husband Leon of Colorado, and Malachy T. Coghlan, Jr. and his wife Diane of Nevada.
Cousin of Sue Turner and her husband Gerry of Sarasota, Florida.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Barbara's Life Celebration on Monday, May 21, 2018 from 4 to 8 PM and Tuesday, May 22, 2018 from 9 to 9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Friends of Walpole Council on Aging, 135 School Street Walpole, MA 02081.