Around Town

World in Watertown Remembers Board Member Susan Klaw

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Susan Klaw

By Chuck Dickinson

Former and current members of the World in Watertown Board of Directors were deeply saddened by the passing of their friend and colleague, Susan Klaw. Susan died peacefully at home at age 74 from ALS on December 23, 2023. There will be a memorial service on January 13th at 3 p.m. at the First Parish of Watertown Unitarian Universalist, 35 Church Street, Watertown. Susan was an active and engaged force with World in Watertown, and served on the Board of Directors for many years. She was always an active participant in meetings and many of World in Watertown events and programs (e.g., Unity Breakfast). She provided special leadership for World in Watertown’s sponsorship (with Friends of Project Literacy) of a naturalization ceremony and voter registration, a life-changing event for 200 immigrants from 50 different countries. She also played a key role in the transition of Board leadership from the “old guard” who had founded WiW to a new generation of community leaders in Watertown.

Around Town

OBIT: Carol Lee Hattaway, 80, Member of Board for Many of Sons’ Activities, Worked with Seniors

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Carol Hattaway

Carol Lee Hattaway, 80 years old, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Heather Glen in Arden, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late William J. and Jeannette (Butterfield) Coumans of Needham and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Carol was born February 1, 1943 in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania and graduated from Needham High School in 1961 and then Vermont College, Montpelier, Vermont in 1963 where she began her career as an executive assistant and married her late husband Charles Leon Hattaway Jr., a Norwich University graduate, in 1964. Over the span of their 56-year marriage, they had lived in Massachusetts, New York, Maine, New Mexico, Sarasota, Florida, and Arden, North Carolina. Carol was very involved with raising her sons, Bradford and Douglas, supporting their numerous activities by participating on the governing boards of little league baseball, ice hockey, serving as a den mother in Cub Scouts, as well as, working within the Boy Scouts of America, their various community youth groups, Sunday school teaching, and school musical band.

Around Town

OBIT: Maureen Mulligan, 62, Associate Justice of Mass. Superior Court

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Maureen Mulligan

Hon. Maureen Mulligan, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court The Honorable Maureen Mulligan, 62, of Watertown, Massachusetts and Westminster, Vermont, died early Christmas Morning, December 25, 2023, at her home in Watertown, MA, after six months of courageously confronting pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by love, warmth and peace. Maureen was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on December 10, 1961 to Patrick Mulligan and Janice Wojcik, and raised in Vermont, a state she loved. She attended Westminster Center School, Bellows Falls Middle School and Concord Academy before studying and excelling at field hockey and lacrosse at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island (BA).

Around Town

OBIT: Douglas Thompson, 50, Worked at Johnson Controls, Coached Kids’ Hockey Teams

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Douglas Maxwell Thompson

Douglas Maxwell Thompson, of Watertown, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Born in Concord, Massachusetts, on August 31, 1973, Doug was the son of William and Lynda Thompson. Even as a child his curiosity and independence gave glimpses of the tenacious spirit Doug would carry throughout his life. He attended public schools in Sudbury and was a talented youth and high school hockey player, developing a lifelong love of the game. Doug always had an entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring him to own and operate a successful landscaping company throughout high school and college.

Around Town

OBIT: Richard “Riche” Kelly, 84, Retired Watertown Police Officer

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Richard “Riche” Kelly

Captain Richard ‘Riche’ Kelly, days short of his 85th birthday, of Watertown and his treasured home on Baker Road in West Yarmouth, passed peacefully on November 15 atNorth Hill in Needham, MA. Riche was the son of the late Michael and Katherine (Cannon) Kelly who immigrated from Ireland in the early 20th century. Riche was the youngest of 5 brothers: the late Watertown Police Chief Joseph P. Kelly (the late Kathleen), Francis Kelly, Vincent Kelly, and James (the late Priscilla). Riche is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Mary Agnes (Fitzgerald). Riche’s enduring legacy is in his love and devotion for his wife and family.

Around Town

OBIT: Thomas E. McVey, 60, Owner of T.H. McVey Stone Company

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Thomas McVey

The following piece is from Farmer & Dee Funeral Home:

Thomas E. McVey, age 60 a longtime Tewksbury resident, and devout communicant of St. William’s Parish, passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, November 9, 2023, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Brighton, MA on November 28, 1962, he was the son of the late Thomas H. McVey, III and the late Joan F. (Shaughnessy) McVey. Tom was raised in Tewksbury, attended Tewksbury schools, and graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1981. Following high school, Tom continued the legacy of his forefathers and followed in the McVey family footsteps to become the latest generation of his family to operate the T.H. McVey Stone Company in Watertown, which was founded by his great grandfather in 1905.

Around Town

OBIT: Norman Adler, 95, Former President of Watertown Condo Association

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Dr. Norman Adler

Dr. Norman Adler passed away on October 12, 2023 at the age of 95 in Milton, MA. The commemoration and celebration of his life was held on October 21 and 22 in Boston and Hull. He is remembered now, on the 30th day of his passing with prayers. He graduated from Brooklyn College and received his doctorate degree in chemistry at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He served in the military, working at a bioanalysis laboratory in Rockville, MD.

Around Town

OBIT: Lillian O’Bannon, 95, Raised in Watertown, Worked as Bank Switchboard Operator

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Lillian “Lil” O’Bannon

Lillian “Lil” O’Bannon, unexpectedly passed away on October 19, 2023 at the age 95 after a sudden illness. She was born January 3, 1928 and was raised in Watertown. In the early 70’s she moved to Malden to be closer to her daughter and went to work for Century Bank in Medford as their Switchboard Operator.  

Over her 20+ year career at the bank she became highly regarded and received awards for her exemplary service. She was always very independent and carried herself with grace, leaving a special impression on many people she came in contact with over the years.