June K. (Kelley) Callahan

Mrs. June K. (Kelley) Callahan, of Waltham, died on Monday, February 12, 2024 at Waltham Crossings. She was 96.

Born in Waltham on June 20, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Francis J. and May E. (Paul) Kelley. A graduate of Waltham High School with the class of 1945, June continued her studies at the Portia Law School for Women. At the age of 16 she began a forty year career as a legal secretary working in law offices in Lexington and Waltham.

A devout Catholic, June was a faithful parishioner of Saint Jude Church where she was a member of the Ladies Sodality. Outside of the parish she volunteered her time with many organizations including the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Meals on Wheels program at the Waltham Senior Center, the Waltham Hospital Associates and at Bristol Lodge kitchen.

June was also a longtime member of the Waltham Business and Professional Women’s Club and the Ancient Order of Hibernians Auxiliary, Div. 14, in Watertown.  She also traveled throughout the country and abroad and spent many happy summers at her home on the Cape.

June was the beloved wife of the late James C. Callahan; mother of Rev. James F. Callahan of Worthington, Minnesota, Sheila Callahan Lee (Charles) of Burlington and Barnstable, and the late Thomas B. Callahan (late Ann Lillis Callahan); grandmother of Matthew Lee (Amanda), Kelley Lee (John Sadowski), Thomas Callahan (Marykate), Michael Callahan (Caitlin) and Lauren Goulet (Michael); great-grandmother of Kendall, Jared, Jack, Reese, James, Sean, Molly, Teddy, Harry, Catherine, Patrick, and Peter; sister of the late Pauline McKenzie and sister-in-law of Zita Callahan. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Family and friends will honor and remember June's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, February 20th from 4 to 7 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. To watch a livestream of June’s Funeral Mass please visit https://saintjudewaltham.org/streaming at 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning.  Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.  

Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic, 61611th Street, P.O. Box 731, Worthington, MN 56187 www.olgfc.org or to the American Heart Association www.heart.org