Virginia H. Tierney

Virginia Tierney had the wonderful gift for the ability to gab and connect with people…stranger or friend. Social by nature she loved the company of her large family and friendships that developed over her many years in teaching and involvement in the activities of her children in the Town of Needham as she and her late husband raised their six children. In later years she connected with people during her retirement to Florida and in Waltham when she readjusted to life as a widow. She had a wonderful and warm presence that easily engaged others and welcomed conversation.

Virginia H. Houghton was born on August 24, 1925 in Boston a daughter of the late Charles Casco Houghton and Florence (Eckerstrom) Houghton. Raised in West Roxbury she was a graduate of Roxbury High School for Girls (1942) and later graduated from Boston State Teachers College (1946).Work opportunities as a new young teacher brought her to Oregon to begin her career in education. While in Oregon she maintained communications with Boston native Joseph F. Tierney and her return to her native Massachusetts fruited a marriage in Saint Joseph's Church in Roxbury on July 10, 1948. Virginia and Joe made Needham their home for over twenty-five years during which she received her Master's degree from Regis College (1979). They transitioned to Jupiter, Florida in 1986 to enjoy retirement and after Joe's death on June 9, 2003 Virginia made Waltham home with her son, Larry and his wife, Patricia and their family.

At age 94 Virginia found life's eternal rest on Friday, June 26, 2020 when she died at home with her family gathered by her side.

In heaven Virginia joins her husband, Joe (†June 9, 2003) and their daughter Janet L. Tierney († March 4, 2020) and siblings, Lt. Col. Jean M. Houghton and Lawrence B. Houghton.

We all have certain teachers who will forever be remembered for a kind act, gentle encouragement and their guidance. They had influence in our lives and we easily recall them affection and admiration. Virginia Tierney was one of those teachers for many of her students. For years she taught both first and second grades at Sophia-Ripley School in West Roxbury and enjoyed volunteering at the Charles River Center in Needham. She later substituted at schools in Jupiter, Florida and when life brought her back to Massachusetts she enjoyed her volunteer work tutoring mathematics at Our Lady's Academy in Waltham. Virginia helped with the instruments and complications of the subject while indirectly helping these students count their blessings as she did throughout her life.

She and Joe travelled extensively in retirement. They explored Europe extensively including places where Joe served while in the service during World War II. Trips to Alaska and Niagara Falls were memorable as well.

Virginia leaves her children, Patricia J. Sullivan of Newton, Joseph F. Tierney of Needham, Lawrence R. Tierney of Waltham, Virginia M. Schwoerer of Storrs, CT and Timothy P. Tierney of Needham; grandmother of Samantha and Samuel Sullivan, Jillian Tierney and Joseph Tierney III, Sarah Ernst, Liana, Lawrence Jr. and Lauren Tierney, Emma and Charles Schwoerer, Alexa and Olivia Tierney; great-grandmother of Elias and Amundsen O.A. Ernst; many nieces & nephews.

Calling hours for Virginia will be held in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, July 10th from 4 to 7 p.m. [Those over 60 and those with underlying health conditions are welcome to visit from 4 to 5 p.m. and others from 5 to 7 p.m.].

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 11th in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham at 10 a.m. Burial in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Needham will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady's Parish & Academy, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452.