MaryLou (Walsh) Jacobs

MaryLou (Walsh) Jacobs passed away at home in Walpole on February 7, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born July 5, 1936 to the late William and Louise (Campbell) Walsh, she grew up in Waltham and graduated from St. Mary’s High School, class of ‘54. She enrolled at Emmanuel College, class of ‘58, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Prior to graduation, she met the love of her life, James Gerard Jacobs. MaryLou and Jim made their home in Brighton, where they lovingly reared their eight children.

Although always proud of her Waltham roots, MaryLou considered Brighton her new hometown and she became an active member of St. Columbkille Parish. Despite having young children to care for, she volunteered to run various activities such as the St. Col’s Youth Bowling League, Girls’ Softball, and a monthly card party for seniors in the parish. She became involved in the School-Home Association and headed up the annual Field Day.

While often focused on her children, MaryLou also attended to the elders on both sides of the family. Whether visiting those who were homebound or driving those who needed to be accompanied to appointments, she generously gave of her time, energy, and love.

When the youngest of her kids, Barbara, grew old enough to attend elementary school, MaryLou began working for the Archdiocese of Boston. Eventually, after being assigned to a position in the diocesan archives, she began assisting guest researchers in locating various documents. She particularly enjoyed helping those who were in search of records pertaining to their family ancestry.

Devotion to family played a key role in MaryLou’s eventual move from Brighton to other locations in Massachusetts. As they began their “empty nest” years, MaryLou and Jim decided to downsize. They found a new home in Waltham where MaryLou could return to her roots and be in close proximity to her aging father, Bill “Pa” Walsh. The Waltham location also provided easy access to head north to Billerica where their oldest grandchildren lived. This helped MaryLou and Jim in their efforts to attend as many of the grandkids’ activities as humanly possible – hockey, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, dance recitals, and various school presentations which they followed from pre-school through college. Later, as many of the younger grandchildren were growing up in the southwest suburbs of Boston, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to fight the traffic on Rt. 128, they downsized again. They found an apartment in Norwood, the perfect spot for them to stay involved in the lives of their progeny while remaining independent.

After several happy years in Norwood, MaryLou faced an unimaginable challenge when Jim was diagnosed with ALS. She applied herself to his comfort and care with infinite devotion.

Following Jim’s death, MaryLou began to reimagine how the next chapter of her life would unfold. She wanted to be proactive in making sure that her lifestyle going forward would bolster her independence. With this in mind, she began researching various independent living communities and eventually selected New Pond Village in Walpole.

Her move to NPV, at age 86, represented a new beginning. MaryLou flourished. Family and friends observed in awe as she participated in a host of activities – chair yoga, painting, flower arranging, and poetry sharing, to name a few. She joined the choral group, attended lectures on a variety of topics, and regularly met with the Catholic Mass group on Sunday mornings. More than anything else, she valued the people she met at NPV. She formed important new friendships.

MaryLou will be lovingly remembered by her family, including her children: George and his wife, Sue, of Billerica; Catherine and her wife, Beth Wichterich, of Medford; Paula Mee and her husband, Billy, of Westwood; Michael and his wife, Maxine, of Boston; Edward and his wife, Nancy, of Westwood; Theresa and her husband, Jeff Shearstone, of Framingham; Kristine Hollander and her husband, Chris, of Medfield; Barbara Keller and her husband, Kevin, of Norwood. She will always be cherished as Grandma to Gerard, Vincent (wife Caroline) and Franklin Jacobs; Jake Wichterich; Tucker and Declan Mee; Kailey Curran BPD (husband Mike) and Delaney Jacobs; Conor and Kerin Jacobs; Liam Shearstone; Jamie, Emily, and Maggie Hollander; Seamus and Patrick Keller; and great-grandmother to James, Joseph, and George Jacobs. MaryLou remains the cherished sister of Kathy Lapsley (husband Bob) of Dedham and the late Martha Walsh of Waltham. She will be missed by her cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends, both new and old.

Funeral from the Lehman, Reen & McNamara Funeral Home, 63 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brighton on Friday, Feb. 13th at 10:00am, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Columbkille Church, 321 Market St., Brighton at 11:00am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting Hours: Thursday Feb. 12th from 3-7pm in the funeral home. Interment at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gerard James Jacobs Scholarship Fund, care of Billerica Scholarship Foundation, 365 Boston Rd. Billerica, MA 01821. For directions and guest book please visit www.lehmanreen.com

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