Mary Alice Moran

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A kind and gentle soul, Mary Alice (Callanan) Moran slipped from this earthly plane in the early morning hours of April 15, 2026.

Born in Waltham, Massachusetts on May 12, 1936, Mary was the daughter of James F. and Ethel M. (Daniels) Callanan. The oldest of five children, Mary was raised in Needham and West Roxbury with the values of faith, education, and service that would guide her throughout her life. She graduated from Archbishop Cushing High School in 1955 and later from Boston State Teachers College, class of 1959. At the age of 40, Mary returned to school and pursued a master’s degree in education, specializing in religious education, at Boston College, graduating in May 1980.

Early in her career, Mary taught at the C.M. Callahan Elementary School in Norwood, stepping back from that role in 1965. After earning her master’s degree, she was the Director of Religious Education at Most Precious Blood Church in Dover until 1988. Mary later served the parish of St. Mary’s in West Quincy as Director of Religious Education, the first lay person and woman to serve in the position.

In every role, Mary inspired others with her kindness, commitment and deep faith.

On November 16, 1963, Mary married the love of her life, James P. Moran. They moved to Canton in 1965, and their years in Canton were filled with a commitment to community and volunteer service, as well as deep and lasting friendships. Faith was central to Mary’s life, and she was a devout parishioner of St. Gerard Majella. She was an active member of the Boston State Teachers College Alumni, maintaining strong ties to the friends and institution that helped shape her career. Mary enjoyed spending time at the Canton Senior Center and was a member of the Canton Public Library book club, where she found companionship, conversation, and continued enjoyment of learning and community life.

Mary was a loving mother to Maureen E. Moran and her husband Kevin P. Cloherty of Canton. She adored her granddaughter, Megan Cloherty. In addition to Maureen, Kevin and Megan, Mary is survived by her brother Lawrence Callanan and his wife Peg of Dennis, and Jack Callanan and his wife Nancy of Arizona. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Rose (Moran) Cavanaugh, Mary E. Moran, Kathleen (Moran) Lynch, all of Bourne; Rita (Moran) Theriault of Reading; and Mary C. Moran of Pennsylvania, as well as many nieces, nephews and their families.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim, as well as her parents and brothers James and Francis; her mother- and father-in-law Annie and Peter Moran; brothers-in-law Peter Moran, Jack Moran, Robert Cavanaugh, Robert Theriault and James Lynch; and sister-in-law Joan Moran.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Oscar Romero Church in Canton on Friday, May 1, at 11:30 a.m. Visiting hours at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington St., Canton on Friday morning prior to the Mass from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Burial will follow the Mass at Canton Corner Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Mary’s commitment to others, donations may be made in her memory to the Department of Elder and Human Services (Canton Senior Center), P.O. Box 54, Canton, MA 02021; Maria Droste Counseling Services, 1354 Hancock Street, Suite 209, Quincy, MA 02169; or Glastonbury Abbey, 16 Hull Street, Hingham, MA 02043.

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