Joan R. (Beaton) Callahan

Waltham – Mrs. Joan R. (Beaton) Callahan, of Waltham, died Tuesday, March 23, 2021 in her home. She was 84.

Joan Beaton was born in Waltham on April 10, 1936, a daughter of the late John and Laura (MacKay) Beaton. She was a graduate of Waltham High School and until her retirement had worked as the beloved school secretary at Our Lady's Academy on Trapelo Road for twenty-one years.

She married her sweetheart, Edward F. Callahan, in Our Lady's Church on September 17, 1955 following Ed's time in the service during the Korean War. The pair enjoyed fifty-seven happy years together until his death on January 1, 2013.

A devout Catholic, she was a lifelong communicant at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church and truly believed in the healing power of faith and prayer. With her friendly face and pleasant demeanor, she enjoyed many friendships with her neighbors who gave her so much love and support the past many years.

Among the many gifts life gave her, Joan's greatest love of all was her family. She and Ed raised their seven children in the Lakeview neighborhood where they made many happy memories. Her love grew more and more with the welcoming of each new grandchild and great-grandchild. She was a devoted wife and mother, and her heart was truly complete when her loved ones were near.

In addition to her husband, the late Edward F. Callahan, Joan is reunited in Heaven with her brothers and sister, the late George Beaton, Jim Beaton, and Lois Rosenfeld.

She is survived by her children, Laura McCann (Damien), Mary Callahan, Carolyn Hough (Kevin), Kathleen Callahan all of Waltham, Edward Callahan (Tonya) of Pepperell, Andrea Russo (Anthony) of Bedford and Kelly Callahan (Ricky Anderer) of Belmont; her sister, Mary Callahan of Hudson; her grandchildren, Mike Morizio (Lindsey), Matthew Morizio (Addie), Scott Hough (Sue Ann), Beverly Loynd (Michael), Patrick Hough (Amanda), Amanda and Alicia Russo and Trey, Shalee, Reed, Raelyn, Cade and Jace Callahan; her great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Brooke, Eddie, Henry, Joseph, Nora, Angelo, Phillip and Ruby Morizio, William Avila, Jake Loynd and Ryan, Sean, Ashlynn and Brendan Hough and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joan's life by gathering on Monday, April 5th, in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Those who wish to view Joan's Funeral Mass may do so by clicking on the following link on Monday, April 5th at 10 a.m.: https://my.gather.app/remember/joan-callahan

Joan's family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for the loving care she received from The Good Shepherd Hospice, especially her nurse Joanne.
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A note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love and support, give them a virtual hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance.

Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.