Maureen B. (Mullaly) Downes

October 20, 1926 - September 17, 2026

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Obituary for Maureen B. (Mullaly) Downes

Maureen B. (Mullaly) Downes, of Milton, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at age 99.

Born in Manhattan to Mary (Moran) and John Mullaly, Maureen spent her childhood playing on the sidewalks and stoops of Second Avenue with her beloved sister, Betty, and her brothers Jack, Bobby and Dick. Maureen was a consummate city girl who once worked as a secretary in the Empire State Building. In 1950, when she married Thomas Francis Downes, they lit a flame whose light would burn for generations. Their loving marriage of 68 years produced 11 children, 33 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, along with generations to come.

In the early years of their marriage, Maureen and Tom stayed in “the neighborhood,” of mid-town Manhattan, later moving to Queens, Princeton, N.J. and ultimately settling in Milton in 1963. Maureen was an active parishioner at St. Agatha’s Church, where she proudly attended dozens of her children and grandchildren’s First Holy Communions, graduations, confirmations and marriages. She was fortunate to have many close friends from St. Agatha’s, along with many of the families from Governors Road and adjacent neighborhoods.

Maureen’s personality was built on strength, resilience, humor, and indominable spirit and an infinite supply of love. Not only did she know each of her grandchildren’s birthdays, but she also knew their friends names, occupations, favorite colors and shoe sizes. If she ever needed a reminder for any of those things, it would be written on the kitchen chalkboard in her perfect penmanship.

Their home of more than 60 years on Governors Road was legendary in the neighborhood for its backyard, which hosted a constant stream of children and teenagers. Maureen presided over the home with the perfect combination of discipline and mischief, which she would dole out freely to all who visited.

Maureen leaves her 11 children: Mary Falwell of Bluffton, S.C. and Chatham; Stephen and Ann (O’Hara) of Milton; Regis and Shelley (Murphy) of Weymouth; Michael and Cathryn (Macdonald) of Easton; Lorraine and Hank McCartin of Providence, R.I.; Maureen and David Jeffery of Easton; Justine and Jim Murphy of Bridgewater; Richard of Milton; Tara and Walter O’Leary of Milton; Deirdre and Mark Morris of Edgartown; Moira Downes and James McLaughlin of South Boston. She also leaves her cherished grandchildren, Kathryn, Thomas, Kerry, Liam, Ryan, Jessica, Marissa, Lena, Jack, Ava, Nicholas, Robert, Elizabeth, Kevin, Deirdre, Meaghan, Maureen, Stephen, Madeleine, Hannah, Colette, Elise, Kelley, Erin, Tara, Michael, Shannon, Brendan, Madison, Delphine, Maeve and William, along with 22 great-grandchildren. She will be reunited with her beloved granddaughter, Leah.

A wake will be held at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave, EAST MILTON SQUARE, on Wednesday, September 23rd from 5-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Agatha Church, 432 Adams Street, Milton, on Thursday, September 24th at 10:30 am. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Services

23 Sep

Visiting Hours

05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Dolan Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - EAST MILTON SQUARE 460 Granite Avenue Milton, MA 02186 Get Directions »
24 Sep

Mass of Christian Burial

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Saint Agatha Church 432 Adams Street Milton, MA 02186 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • September 30, 2026

    Thomas Ryan

    Regis- I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I had such great memories of her and your dad. They were so kind and generous to all of us. I could go on and on. My thoughts of sympathy for you and all your siblings. Tom ryan

  • September 24, 2026

    Carol Melley

    Dear Downes Family, Your lovely mother was and is a blessing in my life. Hers was a life extremely well lived and shared with her friends. We talked, laughed, cried, and prayed together. Life was good, and your mother was a joyous part of that. With love, Carol Melley

  • September 23, 2026

    Brian Cordeiro

    I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Downes family, Maureen was one of the most amazing human beings I have ever known and she was like second Mother to me and many of her children's friends. The love and kindness she gave so freely will not be forgotten.

  • September 21, 2026

    barbara splaine jackso

    your Mother was the sweetest lady I have known, i will never forget climbing the cellar stairs and opening the door and that smile that would greet me. She would ask me to come and sit for a minute and we would just talk and laugh about the weeks adventure at school. I hank you all for sharing Your Mom with all of us.

  • September 21, 2026

    Kate Murphy

    Jean O'Meara said it best! Love to the Downes Family and all us knuckleheads. How lucky we were to be blessed by her kindness and generous spirit.

  • September 20, 2026

    Jean O’Meara

    Sending heartfelt hugs to the entire Downes family. Your mother was a beautiful lady with a very big heart. Raising the 11 of you and passing on her wisdom and guidance to every knucklehead she met. I will always remember her and your father with kindness and a smile 💐