Jean A. O'Halloran

Waltham – Mrs. Jean A. (Merlinos) O'Halloran, of Waltham, died Sunday, October 9, 2011 at her home. She was 77.

Jean was born in Newton on April 4, 1934, a daughter of the late Daniel and Nicoletta (Montanaro) Merlinos. She was raised in Newton and graduated from Our Lady's High School in Newton. She married her husband, William J. 'Bill' O'Halloran, on September 24, 1955. The couple moved with their growing family to Waltham in 1960 and have been residents since.

She and Bill were longtime members of Saint Jude Parish where they belonged to the Couples Club and served the parish in many volunteer capacities over the years. She was also a member of the Waltham Garden Club, the Friends of the Waltham Public Library where she also served as a board member, and had been a poll worker for Waltham elections for decades.

Jean leaves her husband of 56 years, William J. O'Halloran; her children, Gayle A. Mattone and her husband, John, of Longwood, Florida, Jeanne M. Macdonald and her husband, Brian, of Wakefield, Carole L. Malone and her husband, John, of Sudbury, John W. O'Halloran and his wife, Adrienne, of Summerfield, North Carolina, Michael T. O'Halloran and his wife, Lynne, and Paul S. O'Halloran and his wife, Dawna, all of Waltham; her sister, Maria Montanaro of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; 15 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was also a sister of the late Angela Noel and Michael Merlinos.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jean's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, October 11th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Newton Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02453 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.