Mary Theresa (Doyle) Honan

Mary Theresa (Doyle) Honan, 91, of Allston passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025.  Daughter of the late Andrew (County Mayo, Ireland) and Eileen (McCarthy) Doyle (County Cork, Ireland).  Mary’s beloved husband of 59 years, Patrick J. Honan (formerly County Clare, Ireland) died in 2014.  Devoted mother of Clare M. Coughlin and her husband Michael of West Newton, State Representative Kevin G. Honan and his wife Colleen of Brighton, and the late Boston City Councilor Brian J. Honan.  Loving grandmother to Patrick Coughlin and his wife Sarah Rifai of Waltham, Michelle Coughlin of Arlington, Stephanie Coughlin-Caplis and her wife Nichole of Billerica and Molly Honan of Marina del Rey, CA. Great-grandmother to Amelia & August Coughlin-Caplis and Leila & Cameron Coughlin.   Sister of her late twin, Marie, who died at birth, the late Charles Doyle, John Doyle and his late wife Madelyn.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Born in Boston, Mary was a lifelong Allston/Brighton resident. Upon graduation from St Columbkille High School, she accepted a position at New England Telephone Company in Brookline, MA as a switchboard operator.  After her children were born, she worked as a lunch monitor for the Boston Public Schools for 32 years in order to be a “full-time Mom” ─ the most important job in the world. 
 

As such, the profound loss of Brian at the age of 39 in 2002 changed her world forever.  Thereafter, everything in life was defined in terms of "before Brian" and "after Brian".  

During this time, she also learned American Sign Language so she could better communicate with students. To this day, former students remind us of how kind, caring and generous she was.  Because of her welcoming nature, the Honan yard quickly became a safe, basketball epicenter for neighborhood kids whose parents worked outside the home – a role she was happy to fill. 

Mary and Patrick loved to go to the Cara Club & Irish social dances.  Her Irish Bread recipe was copied dozens of times (the secret ingredient was caraway seeds).  On weekends, she took her granddaughter to Irish step dance classes and attended her competitions throughout New England.

In addition to babysitting all the grandchildren, she was a volunteer with the Franciscan Hospital for Children and for Hospice.

Upon request, her famous St. Gerard candle was filled with hundreds of special private intentions from women trying to get pregnant and later, included the initials of those suffering from illness.  She was overjoyed when she learned of her “success stories” and promptly removed them from the candle.        

Mary was elected to the Ward 21 Democratic Committee for a number of years. She was a charter board member of the Jackson Mann Community School and the Brian Honan Library.  She was involved in all of her children’s school activities, hosted team sleepovers and organized baking & refreshments for PTO and teachers’ meetings.

She was a cherished friend and confidant to many and loved live theatre, musicals, art museums and going to the movies every weekend with son-in-law, Michael.   She also enjoyed the Swan Boats (her brother Charlie “drove” them one summer), Castle Island, Hampton Beach, Back Bay Garden Tours, Cape Cod, merry-go-rounds, crossword puzzles and knitting, mostly long, colorful scarfs! 

As an avid reader of newspapers and books, she often took the grandchildren to story hours and lectures at local libraries and universities.  She was especially drawn to political biographies where she would circle passages of interest to show her “politician” sons for informational purposes of course.

Mary was a devoted pet lover and doted (excessively at times) on her granddaughter Molly’s mischievous rescue pup “Frankie.”

 Her most beloved role, however, was that of being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  We will miss her dearly.

Funeral from the Lehman Reen & McNamara Funeral Home 63 Chestnut Hill Ave (nr Brighton Courthouse) BRIGHTON on Wednesday February 5th at 9:30 am.  Followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Columbkille Church 321 Market St. Brighton at 10:30 am.  Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.  Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.  Visiting Hours on Tuesday February 4th from 3-8pm in the funeral home.   Donations may be made in memory of Mrs. Honan to the Brian J. Honan Internship Fund c/o West End House Boys and Girls Club 105 Allston Street Allston, MA 02134.   For directions and guest book please visit www.lehmanreen.com

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