Teresa J. McGovern

Waltham – Mrs. Teresa J. (Finnerty) McGovern, of Waltham, died Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at her home. She was 84.

Teresa was born in Boston on October 8, 1927, the second oldest of five children born to the late Patrick and Delia (Kelly) Finnerty, both natives of Galway. She was raised in Roxbury and graduated from the Mission Church High School.

In January, 1951 she married Terrance F. McGovern of Brighton, and the couple moved to Waltham eight years later where they settled and raised their family. Terrance died on October 25, 1989.

Until her retirement she worked for a number of years in the administrative offices at Bentley College in Waltham. Before and after retirement her life centered around her family and the Church. The McGovern's belonged to Our Lady's Parish before the 'new' church was built and were long active in its affairs. Teresa was a daily communicant and volunteered for years in a variety of ways; from organizing bake sales to serving as a Eucharistic minister to conducting home visits and helping with the parish nursing home ministry.

She was also a voracious reader, consuming books as fast as she could retrieve them from the library. In her later years Teresa became quite proficient on a computer as well, learning to pay the bills, read newspapers and keep up with her grandchildren with her Facebook page. At home she loved doing the yard work and tending to her meticulous and well organized garden.

Teresa leaves her children, Terrance F. McGovern, D.D.S. of Worcester, Gerald J. McGovern and his partner, Kate Holland, of West Roxbury, and Joseph B. McGovern of Stoneham; her grandchildren, Megan McGovern and her fiancé, Brent Youngsma, Ryan McGovern and his wife, Alexandra and Kyle, Patrick and Sarah McGovern; her sisters and brother, Mary Leary of Hudson, Annemarie Silvasy of Canton, Rev. Joseph Finnerty of Connecticut and many nieces and nephews.

She was also the mother-in-law of the late Janine McGovern and Elizabeth McGovern and a sister of the late Helen Donahue.

Family and friends will honor and remember Teresa's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, July 22nd, from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to 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 Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.