Rose Marie (Gilligan) Hobson

Rose Marie (Gilligan) Hobson, of Framingham, (formerly of Waltham and Watertown, Massachusetts as well as Coral Gables, Florida), passed away peacefully Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Saint Patrick’s Manor in Framingham following a period of declining health. She was 91.

She was the devoted and proud mother of William S. Hobson (Kathy) of Summit, NJ, David A. Hobson (Elizabeth) of Lincoln, MA, Reverend Michael A. Hobson, pastor of Holy Apostles Parish, Halifax, MA, Kimberly A. Manning (Peter) of Blackstone, MA, Mark A. Hobson (Jeanne) of La Canada Flintridge, CA. and predeceased by her daughter Dawn Marie Costello (Jeffrey) of Marlborough, MA. Grandmother of 15 (Christina, Gregory, Matthew, Kevin, John, Clint, Ryan, Noah, Natalie, Renee, Ryan, Kirstie, Lisa, Morgan, and Samantha). Great Grandmother of Connor and Kaleb. Former spouse of the late Albert W. 'Bob' Hobson. She will be missed very much by her loving, furry companion, Dylan IV..

Devoted to her Catholic upbringing, Rose Marie was faithful in her love of our Lord Jesus Christ, with a strong desire in receiving the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist at Mass, attending daily and weekend Mass at Saint Jude Church and Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church in Waltham, Saint Luke Church in Belmont. With deep affection for the Blessed Mother Mary, she loved to pray the Rosary, seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes for those who were sick. Since childhood, she was a strong advocate of the novena to Saint Jude. Frequently watching the Catholic Television Network, especially when she became homebound, she continued to pray for her family, friends, and the world. She loved to watch classic movies from the 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s, keeping well informed on national and international news and politics, as well as eating out at her favorite restaurants in Waltham: The Chateau and Grassfields.

Rose Marie was born in Waltham to Thomas J. Gilligan and Rose C. (Walker). She predeceases her siblings Jeanne McCammon (Jackie, deceased) of Huntington Beach, CA, Reverend Adrian Gilligan, O.S.A., of Villanova, PA, Thomas J. Gilligan, Jr. (Bonnie, deceased,) of West Yarmouth, MA, Richard Gilligan (Gail) of Cornelius, NC, Elaine Whelan (Jim) of North Haledon, NJ, and David Gilligan (Noreen) of Centerville, MA. She had 18 nieces and nephews, predeceased by her Goddaughter Kathleen Bodendorfer.

After her family moved to Watertown, she graduated from Watertown High School (1951) and attended Simmons College where she began her long distinguished career in nursing. Rose Marie was a proud graduate of the Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing, Boston (1957); University of Miami, Florida (Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (1962); and Boston University School of Nursing, Boston (Master of Science Degree in Nursing Administration (1976). Rose Marie was a proud and current member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma), and the Massachusetts General Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association, Inc.

Over the course of her career, Rose Marie also worked at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL; and Veterans Administration Hospital, Coral Gables, FL.

Returning to Massachusetts, she worked for 20 years at McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, ultimately in the role of Director of Nursing for the last 8 years. She went on to play a seminal role in the establishment of legal protection for Massachusetts employees who attempt to enforce public law and policy. When she attempted to require nursing staff to check patients as frequently as required by law, McLean Hospital discharged her on April 21, 1983. She filed suit in the Superior Court and the case was taken up by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on its own motion because of the importance of the public policy involved. In its 1988 opinion the Court upheld her claims stating that “Liability can be imposed on an employer who terminates an at-will employee in violation of a clearly established public policy.” [Hobson v. McLean Hospital Corp., 402 Mass. 413, 416 (1988)]

Rose Marie moved to her new and final home at Saint Patrick’s Manor, Framingham, in the fall of 2024 where she received tremendous love and care from the Carmelite Sisters and wonderful staff. She revived her former nursing skills and loved to spend most days sitting near the nurses’ station while “supervising” and conversing with staff and fellow residents. Rose Marie was always mindful of her closest living friends, especially Irene Giuffrida, Viola Denault, Marie Stocki, Ann Purcell, Fran Palmer and her hairdressers (“confessors”) for more than 55 years, Sal & Val from the Salon Continentale in Belmont, MA

Family and friends will honor and remember Rose Marie’s life of faith in our Lord Jesus by gathering for her Funeral Mass in Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham on Wednesday, March 26th at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. There are no calling hours.

To watch a broadcast of Rose Marie's Funeral Mass please visit https://saintjudewaltham.org/streaming

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Jude Parish, 147 Main St., Waltham, MA 02453.