Educator with a passion for acting was devoted to her family and faith
NORTH READING — Marilyn I. (Doherty) McQuaid, beloved wife of the late Richard F. McQuaid, passed away on Monday, April 4, 2022 at the age of 89. Born in Everett on October 29, 1932, she was the loving daughter of the late Owen F. and Evelyn (Jordan) Doherty.
Marilyn grew up in Everett and was a graduate of Mount Joseph High School in Brighton. She then attended and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Emmanuel College. During her college and younger years, she was active in the drama department and had a passion for acting, which was something she passed on to her children and grandchildren.
Marilyn took great pride in her profession as an educator. She spent many years teaching English and religion at Saint Rose High School in Chelsea and Girls Catholic School in Malden. Marilyn was also a writer for the Malden Evening News, as a columnist. She not only wrote about what was happening, she included her children in her column.
She enjoyed crafting and musicals. Marilyn was active in her parishes to which she belonged, most recently St. Theresa’s in North Reading. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America in Malden and taught CCD. Her greatest joy came from being with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She will be deeply missed by her loving family and her many friends.
Marilyn was the devoted mother of Elizabeth A. D’Angelo and her husband Domenic of North Reading; Christopher J. McQuaid and his wife Debra of Frederick, Maryland; Neil A. McQuaid and his wife Barbara of Bedford, New Hampshire; Richard B. McQuaid and his wife Erin of Marlboro; Barbara M. Fitzgerald and her husband Daniel of North Reading; and Mary E. Mastascusa and her husband Michael of North Reading.
She was also the cherished grandmother of 20 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Evelyn V. Doherty and the late Gertrude M. Doherty, and the loving aunt to many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held from the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park St., North Reading, (Park St. and Rte. 28 at the Reading line) on Friday, April 8, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrating Marilyn’s life at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held privately.
Family and friends are cordially invited to visiting hours at the Cota Funeral Home on Thursday, April 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. For information, directions and to leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotafuneralhomes.com.