Marcia L. Sweeney

Marcia L. (Callahan) Sweeney died January 6, 2016 following a brief Illness. She was the daughter of the late Pearl (Hoffman) Callahan and the Granddaughter of the late Annie (Taylor) Hoffman. She was a graduate of Lynn English High School Class of 1958 where she met Philip W. Sweeney, Jr. with whom she shared 52 years of marriage until his death last year. They resided in Marblehead for 47 years.

She was a retiree of the MWRA where she was a founding member/officer of the United Steel Worker’s LU9358. She was also former president of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, Board of Trustees.

She spent her life committed to the political system and education. She was a Life Member of the Marblehead Democratic Town Committee (20 plus years). She was a Life Member of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee (20 plus years). She worked on her first political campaign at 16 for JFK’S re-election to the U.S. Senate. And had worked on every local, state, and national campaign since. She had hoped to work on Hillary Clinton’s campaign. She was an 8-time delegate to Democratic National Conventions and 20 plus year delegate to the Massachusetts Democratic State Conventions. A highlight of her political work was being elected a member of the 2000 Massachusetts Electoral College.

In 1977 she became a candidate herself and became an 18-year member of the Marblehead School Committee. After a brief respite she was appointed to the North Shore/ Essex School District Committee where she served as the representative for the Town of Marblehead for the past 15 years. During that time, she received the Life Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. She was also able to see to completion the Essex Technical High School which opened last year.

In spite of the committees and campaigns nothing gave her more joy than spending time with her grandchildren, watching them grow into fine young men and women. Mrs. Sweeney is survived by her three sons, Philip Sweeney, III; Sean Sweeney, both of Marblehead and Scott Sweeney and his wife Tammy of California; five grandchildren, Conor Sweeney of California; Sean Sweeney Jr. of Hawaii; Charles Sweeney of Marblehead; Rebekah McCalmont and her husband, Mack and their son Booker John of California; and Samantha Sweeney and her daughter, Riley of California; two step-grandsons, Michael Meyers and his wife Tara and their daughter Emma; and Jordan Sweeney and his wife Kate and their children Jack, Faith, Oliver and Sally all of California. She also leaves behind her beloved “dos gatos”, Midnight and Shadow.

Private funeral services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers you may donate to the Philip W. Sweeney, Jr. Scholarship Fund c/o National Grand Bank, Marblehead, MA. Arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead.