Meaghan Gobron

Dr. T.P. Chia said, 'A smiling face is a beautiful face. A smiling heart is a happy heart.'

Meaghan Gobron made her way through life with a smile on her face that would light up a room…it was easier to smile, even in the face of constant challenges. Meaghan's smile was an act of love and a gift to all those in her company, be they stranger or friend. She was a truly beautiful person.

Meaghan Marie Gobron died peacefully on Friday, August 24, 2018, at home in Holliston. She was 33.

Born on May 11, 1985, in Newton, she was the eldest daughter of William E. Gobron and the late Deborah (Zapka) Gobron. Born with medical challenges, she was a longtime resident of Franciscan Children's Hospital in Brighton. She attended Massachusetts Hospital School and graduated from the Kennedy Day School. At age twenty-two, she transitioned to Wachusett Extended Care Facility in Holden, where her caregivers became new friends. She delighted in her outings to shop, catch a concert and attend a Red Sox game at Fenway as part of the Wakefield Warriors, giving her the opportunity to meet her all-time favorite player (and crush), Tim Wakefield. There's no doubt he made her day and was the recipient of one of her star quality smiles. In 2011, Meaghan moved to a new home in Holliston where, as always, she melted hearts with her great big smile and positive disposition. New housemates, caregivers and friends came with the new zip code. She died in the love and comfort of these devoted caregivers and fellow residents, whom she considered family.

Never one to complain, Meaghan was a sweet, considerate and happy person. Simple things like the color purple, a rhyming story, or music by James Taylor, Billy Joel or Peter, Paul and Mary lifted her spirits and kept her comfortable. An inquisitive person with a faultless memory of everyone she had ever met, she was genuinely interested in the lives of those in her company and in her life. Chatty and social Meaghan Gobron gave everyone a reason to smile and feel blessed.

Embracing Meaghan in heaven are her mother, Deborah, and her grandparents, Marie C. (Nestor) Gobron and Loretta (Poteracki) and Rudolph Zapka.

In addition to her housemates and caregivers she leaves her father, William Gobron of Rancho Santa Margarita, California; her siblings, Kevin Gobron of Vista, California; Kerry Martinez (Javier) and Lauren Gobron (Kenny Martinez), of San Marcos, California; her grandfather, Arthur F. Gobron of Watertown; her aunts and uncles, Jeanne M. Nisbet of Watertown; Louise M. Gobron (David Sleet) of Berkeley Lake, Georgia; and Pamela Tambakis (Paul) of Mission Viejo, California; nieces Sophia and Chelsea Martinez of Vista, California; cousins Jennifer and Tim Tambakis of Vista, California; Ted Tambakis (Cameron) of Ojai, California; Michael Nisbet of San Francisco, California; and her cousin and good buddy, Matthew Nisbet, of Watertown.

Family and friends will honor and remember Meaghan's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Thursday, August 30th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Friday morning, August 31st, before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick's Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery, Norwood.

Meaghan's joyful and caring spirit may be honored through memorial donations to Franciscan Children's Hospital, 30 Warren Street, Brighton, MA 02135.

'Always keep the smile, because the smile is the beginning of love.' Adam Imad