Callaghan, Gladys D.

Gladys Dorothy (Keenan) Callaghan of Canton, 91, passed away on August 20, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Brighton, the oldest of six children of William F. Keenan and Jeannette (Dionne) Keenan, she graduated from St Columbkille’s High School in 1949. She was married to her loving husband, Thomas, for 66years until his death in 2021. Theirs was a very happy marriage, enriched by the births of six children. Gladys worked at the New England Telephone Co. for five years prior to her marriage. She was a stay-at-home mom to her children and also raised her youngest sister.

After living in Brighton until 1968, Gladys and Tom moved to Canton and quickly made it their home. Gladys joined the choir at St. Oscar Romero Church (formerly St. John the Evangelist) and embarked on a fulfilling singing career as a church cantor and funeral and wedding soloist. She always received compliments on her beautiful and emotional singing voice and was always in high demand. When Gladys was in her 50s, she and some church friends formed a singing group called “The Galaxy Gals.” The “Gals” performed for many years, entertaining at nursing homes and women’s clubs.

Acts of charity defined Gladys’ entire life. She was always available to drive an elderly parishioner to church or visit a sick friend. She was passionate about the pro-life cause, organizing baby showers at church to assist pregnant women and their babies. A prolific and talented writer, she wrote letters to the editor regarding pro-life issues and also submitted poems about faith and family. For several years, Gladys organized the “America Needs Fatima” rosary vigil at St. Oscar Romero Church. Although not athletic, she encouraged her husband Tom in his running pursuits, as well as enthusiastically supporting her children’s athletic endeavors.

Gladys’ life was based on family, faith, and good works. We will never forget the lessons she taught us for living a good life, caring for neighbors and all who are in need.

Gladys is survived by her six children: Michael of Quincy, David and his wife, Bette, of Foxboro, Thomas and his wife, Haydie, of Medford, Grace and her husband, Anthony Cardella, of Stoughton, Stephen and his wife, Jill, of Chelmsford, and James and his wife, Kristi, of Sutton. She is also survived by her two dear sisters, Janet Salwa and Elaine Crudup and her husband, Lawney Crudup. She was predeceased by her brother, William Keenan, and two sisters, Shirley Carr Donovan and June Keilty. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great- grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Gladys spent the last two years residing at Cornerstone at Canton after living on Patriots Drive for 53 years. The family would like to thank the staff at Cornerstone for their love and support. Special thanks to Nicole’s Girls and Barbara Berrelus, mom’s aide in particular, for her gentle and loving care of mom.

A funeral Mass was held Thursday, August 24, in St. Oscar Romero Church. Burial at Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton. Donations in Gladys’ name may be sent to Friends of the Unborn of Quincy, P.O. Box 692246, Quincy, MA 02269, or to the Stoughton Food Pantry, 116 Seaver St., Stoughton, MA 02072.

Arrangements by the Dockray and Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street. For guestbook, see dockrayandthomasfuneralhome.com.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Aug 31 2023. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.