Obituary: Laurel Callahan, of Woburn

The following obituary was originally published by Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home:

LAUREL “LAURIE” (HALLORAN) CALLAHAN – of Woburn, Friday, April 3rd, 65 years of age.

Beloved wife of Thomas E. Callahan. Devoted mother of Thomas J. Callahan and his wife Jennifer of Wakefield, Matthew E. Callahan and his wife Tara of Billerica, and Bryan E. Callahan and his wife Pamela of Foxborough. Dear sister of Sharon Craig and her husband Theron of FL, Ellie O’Toole and her husband Thomas of Canton, Cynthia Halloran of NH, Louis Halloran and his wife Cathy of NH, and John Halloran and his companion Lucinda of ND, and the late George and Jeffrey Halloran. Cherished Nana of Emma and Erin Callahan. Also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Wednesday, April 8th at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Road, Woburn at 10. Interment is private. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to call at the Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Laurie’s memory to The ALS Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 315 Norwood Park South, 1st Floor, Norwood, MA 02062.

OBITUARY;

Laurie (Halloran) Callahan passed away at her home amongst her beloved family, Friday evening April 3rd. The devoted wife of Atty. Thomas E. “Tom” Callahan, she was sixty five years of age.

Born in Waltham she was one of eight children born to the late Louis and Elsie (King) Halloran. Raised and educated there she was a graduate of Waltham High School along with the Class of 1968.

One evening following high school Laurie and her friends went to a favorite spot in Cambridge, where she was introduced to Tom Callahan from Woburn! That was the beginning of a life long journey, which spanned over forty - two years. They married in 1972, making their home in Tewksbury and in 1986 nestled in to the West Side of Woburn where they have remained. Laurie’s three sons arrived during that span and needless to say she kept quite busy with all the coming and goings! From the fields, to the courts to the diamonds, Laurie enjoyed following the boys through it all. Vacations at Hampton Beach, swimming and walking at Walden Pond and going to Pittsfield NH, where they visited with family and did some farming, hunting and visiting !

After the children were in school, Laurie attended and graduated from Middlesex College receiving her certification in Home Health Care. This opened a whole new world for Laurie, doing what she did best. Compassion, sensitivity and concern were all apart of Laurie’s karma. She shared this with elderly patients, whom she took under her wing and cared for like they were part of her family.

The world of academia was also very important in the Callahan household. Laurie was thrilled to see all three of her sons graduate from college, find their successful niches in life, then marrying the love of their lives and having homes of their own. Being “Nana” to Emma and Erin was pure joy and brought a beautifully new facet to their lives.

A woman of unshakeable faith all her life, sadly was diagnosed with ALS disease several years ago. Laurie dealt with disease head on. Faith filled, along with her families love and support she lived every day fully. Her religion brought her peace. An avid parishioner at St Barbara’s, daily Mass, Sunday Mass, visiting the Espousal Center weekly over the years, was merely confirmation in her true belief in the power of prayer, right up to the end. Laurie’s legacy of faith, love, loyalty and family will certainly stay in the hearts and lives of those whom she touched..

In addition to her parents, Laurie was predeceased by her brothers George and Jeffrrey Halloran.