Marie Callanan

Marie (Moore) Callanan, 88, of Norwood, formerly of Dedham for many years, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

Born in Boston, August 6, 1937, she was the daughter of the late John and Helen Moore of Brookline. She was the beloved wife of 57 years of the late James Callanan, and the loving mother of Joseph Callanan and his wife, Tina of Walpole, Daniel Callanan of Norwood, Mary Callanan of Norwood, Julie and her husband, Raymond Hart of Norwood, Paula and her husband, Edward Coffey of Westwood, John Callanan and his wife, Amy of Munroe, CT, and Beth and her husband, Israel Alvarez of Milton. Marie was the cherished grandmother of Caitlin Marie and Joseph M. Callanan, Daniel, Jake, and James Callanan, Harry and Owen Hart, Maggie, Hannah and Ned Coffey, Mackenzie, Grace and Olivia Callanan, and Desmond, Maxim and Lucas Alvarez, the great-grandmother of Kayden Callanan and Joseph James Callanan, and the dear sister of Patricia Pidgeon of Boston, the late John and James Moore, Marcia Walker of Medfield, and sister-in-law to Betsy and Thomas Donovan of Medfield. She was the loving aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Marie graduated from Brookline High School and went to work at Boston College before marrying Jim. They started their family in Belmont and soon moved to Hamilton. In 1966, Marie and Jim moved to Dedham where she volunteered at St. Mary’s School and taught CCD. She also taught sewing and needle point to Girl Scout Troops. When her children were grown she worked at Jordan Marsh Company’s Credit Office and Shreve Crump & Low in Boston.

She was the biggest fan at all her children's and grandchildren’s activities. Marie treasured summers in Rockport, MA entertaining family and friends. She and Jim loved traveling together, exploring many places both near and far. Later in life Marie volunteered at Norwood Community Theatre and taught CCD at St. Catherine’s in Norwood. She also took up watercolor painting and never lost her passion for fashion and art. More than anything else she loved and was devoted to her family and was happiest when everyone was all together.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 547 Washington Street, NORWOOD, on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10:00AM. Private Interment at Highland Cemetery. Wear pink, Marie’s favorite color, in celebration of her life. Arrangements are in the care of Gillooly Funeral Home, Norwood.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Marie’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.

https://events.alz.org/fundraisers/elizabethalvarez/marie-callanan