Marita A. Driscoll

Marita A. Driscoll, age 64, passed away peacefully in her Medfield, Massachusetts home on Sunday, January 26, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Brookline, Massachusetts on September 29, 1955, she was the daughter of James P. and Mary J. (Baldassari) Driscoll, who raised a family of six children. As a teenager Marita spent a year in a body cast at the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton due to back surgery. Marita exhibited there, and her entire life, her unique ability to always remain positive and see the good, a gift she has passed on to her four children, large family, and friends. Marita graduated from Walpole High School with the Class of 1973.  Marita continued her education at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, earning her B.A., with Honors, in English. Following her graduation, Marita took a position with Assumption College in Worcester as a writing teacher. In 1981, she returned to her own education, enrolling in the University of Connecticut School of Law, where she was a member of the Connecticut Law Review. Marita earned her Law Degree in 1983 and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar Association. She worked as a news reporter from 1984-87 at The Patriot Ledger newspaper in Quincy before returning to the law as a defense attorney, gaining extensive trial experience, in the Quincy District Court.

 

Marita married her beloved husband, Peter S. Halesworth, on October 9, 1992 in Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole.  They initially made their home in the Boston area, but in 1994, after Peter’s job transfer, the adventurous young couple journeyed to Jakarta, Indonesia.  As she and Peter began welcoming their children, Marita took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her young family. In 1998, Marita returned to the U.S., making her family’s new home in Manhattan in New York City before settling in Barnstable, Massachusetts in 2003.  As her children grew up, Marita returned to her teaching roots, taking a substitute teacher’s position in the Barnstable Public Schools. More recently, Marita and Peter made their home, with their family, in Medfield, Massachusetts.

 

Throughout her life, Marita loved to travel. As a teenager she travelled with her beloved aunts to Switzerland, and from then on Marita had a strong case of wanderlust. She made a cross-country trip in the U.S. and enjoyed visiting other parts of the world, including many nations in Europe and Asia.  As an avid outdoor rock climber, Marita always looked forward to taking on a new challenge, pushing herself to test her own limits, like giving birth to twin boys at 50. Back at home, Marita was a true foodie, not only for her own taste, but to ensure satisfaction and mirth for her large family and legions of loyal friends. Marita made friends easily and while never the loudest person in the room, she was always the most sought after confidant and the wisest counsel in any group. Marita enjoyed punctuating her strong opinions with Latin phrases, such as In medio stat virtus (“Virtue stands in the middle”), and Carpe diem (“Seize the day”). Complementing Marita’s sharp intellect was a soft heart filled with sentimental feelings. Affectionately nicknamed by family and friends as “Tita,” she loved watching old movies, reveled in nostalgia, and prepared months in advance for any and all holidays with an enthusiasm that matched her children’s. Life was good when Marita could stroll to the playgrounds in New York’s Central Park, or glide around her seaside Cape neighborhood on her bicycle, with her children by her side. Despite her long illness Marita never faltered in her optimism. Her beautiful Mona Lisa smile, graced with a dimple, showed an ambition to live every day to its fullest, and signaled her personal strength and amazing emotional stamina to reassure those in her company. As she did as a climber of mountain walls, Marita met the many challenges she faced during her journey, only to make her spirit soar. 

 

Beloved wife of Peter S. Halesworth.

Loving mother of Emily Proulx Halesworth of Boston, Andrew J. Halesworth of Medfield, Gabriel J. Halesworth of Medfield, and Nicholas J. Halesworth of Medfield.

Devoted daughter of Mary J. (Baldassari) Driscoll of Norwood and the late James P. Driscoll.

Loving sister of James Driscoll of Hartford, Connecticut, Paula Driscoll of Medfield, Maureen Leveroni of Barnstable, John Driscoll of Medfield, and Anne Mary Campbell of Norwood.

Cherished aunt of many nieces and nephews.

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Marita’s Memorial Mass on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 2:00 PM in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole. Please dress in white shirt/top/dress under your coat, per Marita’s request, to display our unity in goodness, safety, purity, and lightness in spirit during the Mass. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted and interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Central Park Conservancy, in Memory of Marita A. Driscoll, at the following link: