Eleanor P. (Reilly) Desmond

Newton - Eleanor P. (Reilly) Desmond died Sunday, September 24, 2023 in Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She was 96.

She was born on June 22, 1927 in Brighton a daughter of the late Irish immigrants Thomas M. and Mary D. (Mulahy) Reilly. Raised in Watertown she graduated from St. Patrick’s High School with the class of 1945. She married Thomas E. Desmond on July 2, 1949 in Saint Patrick’s Church and moved to Newton to make her home.

Prior to staying at home to raise her children she worked as a clerk for the Division of Employment Security.

A longtime member of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish she volunteered over nineteen years in its rectory. She enjoyed membership and the friendships that ensued from singing in the Blarney Castliers Singing Group at the parish. Eleanor also enjoyed reading and worked part-time in the Newton Public Library. She kept active and young by line-dancing with friends as often as three times a week regularly for many years.

In addition to her late husband, Thomas, she was also predeceased by her children, Eleanor P. Miele and John F. Desmond and infant child. She was a sister of the late John, Thomas and Joseph Reilly, Mary Veno, Frances Sullivan, Catherine Grady and Theresa Melket; and grandmother to the late Madeline Rose Desmond.

She leaves her children, Thomas W. Desmond (Patricia) of Hudson, Mary F. Cicciu (John) of Cotuit, William J. Desmond (Susan) Dracut, Joseph P. Desmond of Newton, Edward G. Desmond (Sarah) of Hyde Park, Lt. Col. Ret. Richard D. Desmond (Kelly) of Alexandria, Virginia; mother-in-law of George Miele of Watertown and Patricia Desmond of West Bridgewater; grandmother of Christopher Desmond (Jamie Lyons), Joseph Desmond (Kimberly), Michael Desmond (Elisabeth), Kelly, Bryan, Jenna and Tyler Desmond; great-grandchildren, Destiny, Dillon, Robert and Emma Desmond; also survived by many nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Eleanor’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, September 27th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton, where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 573 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02458 or www.sholnewton.org