Pauline R. (Leone) Morrison

Mrs. Pauline R. (Leone) Morrison, of Watertown, died Friday, March 5, 2021 in Belmont Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She was 87.

Born on June 29, 1933 in Newton, Pauline was the youngest of twelve children of the late Cesidio and Antonia (Baccari) Leone. Raised in the Nonantum village of Newton, she was a proud graduate of Our Lady's High School in Newton with the class of 1951.

Pauline made her home in Watertown, MA with her beloved husband of 66 years, Donald A. Morrison, who passed away on May 20, 2020. She was also predeceased by daughter, Kathleen M. Burke, and grandchildren Erin and Olivia Morrison.

Pauline leaves her children, Donald J. Morrison (Kathleen) of Chelmsford, Thomas A. Morrison (Kathryn) of Bloomington, Indiana and Robert J. Morrison (Laura) of Framingham; her son-in-law, Gerard Burke (Kate) of Pittsfield; her grandchildren, Timothy Burke (Kristen), Colleen Nicewicz (Robert), Brendan Burke, Kelley Burke, Matthew Morrison (Christin), Scott Morrison, Meghan Morrison, John Paul Morrison, Marikate Morrison, Sean Morrison, and her great-grandchildren, Charlotte & Maeve Burke, Robert (Tripp) & Grady Nicewicz and Conor Morrison; and dozens of nieces & nephews.

She was also predeceased by her siblings, Mary Leone, Sister Therese Immaculata, SCNJ, Josephine Santino, Geraldine Keegan, Dolorita (Dollie) Lochiatto, Rita McCarthy, Daniel, Nino, Paul, Anthony and James Leone.

A longtime telephone and switchboard operator, the gift of help and friendship through conversation came easy to Pauline. She was most known for her ability to comfort family and friends through her love of cooking. Whether large Sunday and holiday dinners or a visit over tea and sweets, Pauline gathered people together providing love and care through food.

Special thanks to the dedicated staff at Belmont Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation, the Beth Israel Lahey Home Care and Hospice for their sincere care and comfort provided to Pauline as well as to Dr. T. David O'Halloran and the Department of Cardiology at Mount Auburn Hospital. Sincere appreciation to all friends, neighbors, and family especially her nieces Marie, Nancy, Susan and Anne Marie who helped Pauline through the isolation and loss of her later years, particularly during 2020.

Family and friends will honor Pauline's life by gathering for calling hours on Friday, March 12th from 4 to 7 pm at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 10:30 am in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton. Please meet directly at church. Burial in Chandler Gray Cemetery, Yarmouth is private.

Those wishing to view Pauline's Funeral Mass may do so via this link on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. https://my.gather.app/remember/pauline-morrison

Memorials in Pauline's name may be made to the Team Erin Fund, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, 100 South College Avenue, Suite 240, Bloomington, IN. 47404. This fund honors her late granddaughter Erin and supports a variety of community social service needs.
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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.