Maureen Dahill is the unofficial mayor of South Boston.

Having been born and raised in Southie, nothing has happened in 02127 since the ‘70s without her knowing about it – or eventually, posting about it.

She wears that lifelong zip code like a badge of honor and gets excited when asked “Where are you from originally?” 

On March 28th, she will be honored at the South Boston Neighborhood House Benefit & Auction and will receive the Amy K. Murray ‘Angel Award’ for her commitment to supporting the South Boston community.

As to what that commitment has looked like over the years, well…

WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

Before Maureen’s children were able to claim the title of 5th-generation South Bostonians, their ancestors had to plant their roots here first.

Her paternal great grandparents and maternal great, great-grandparents settled in South Boston from Ireland. They each had children, one being her grandfather, Jim Dahill, who worked as the Deputy Director of the Suffolk County Register of Deeds for over 40 years and was the president of the South Boston Citizens Association. And on her maternal side, her grandmother, Peggy (Logan) Coughlin, a mother of nine children, was one of the original founders of the South Boston Mothers Club.

It might not have been at Lincoln or Loco, but Peggy also spent her time banquet waitressing at the Sheraton Hotel and later worked at Southie High as an administrative assistant.

Suffice to say, being involved in the community is a longstanding trait on both sides of the family.

“My grandfather Jim Dahill was so proud of this neighborhood, and that pride was handed down to my father Richie, who in turn handed it down to me like eye color,” Maureen said. “It’s in my genes.”  

Maureen married another Southie native, Peter Gailunas, a firefighter at Ladder 19 K Street firehouse and they have raised three children on M Street – Grace, 28, Peter, 22 and Henry, 20.

CAUGHT RED-HANDED

As Maureen was establishing a family in Southie, many of her friends and family were taking theirs to neighboring towns in the suburbs. Despite that, those friends returned to run their errands, go to games or grab a bite to eat. There were endless things that kept them coming back.

More times than not, those suburban transplants were “Caught in Southie.” 

In the ‘90s, Maureen owned a vintage clothing store called Maude Mango in Southie at the corner of G and Broadway. It won the Best of Boston Award in 2000. In the years to follow, she was a wardrobe and prop stylist in New England. But in 2008 when the recession hit, that creative and entrepreneurial energy had a new focus.

“I had time on my hands and came up with the idea of a blog about Southie nostalgia, odd hyperlocal colloquialisms like saving spots after a snowstorm, double parking, saying spuckie instead of sub, old folklore,” she said. “Then, it just organically morphed into an online magazine. If I had a business plan, Caught in Southie would not be the success it is today. It was kismet and serendipity.” 

10,435 articles later reporting on all things Southie, Maureen has told the stories and shared the voices of countless residents, small business owners, local officials and more. The online magazine has also been included in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, NBC10 Boston, The Boston Globe to name a few.

Regardless of the subject matter, be it a lost pet in the neighborhood or the ins and outs of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Maureen approaches it all with the same outlook and goal.

“I’m proud and honored to be part of this neighborhood and be a part of people’s daily lives; whether it’s me reporting on a fire down the street or a new restaurant on the horizon, I love being part of this community,” she said.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO…

When Maureen was told she would be receiving the Amy K. Murray ‘Angel Award’, she was immediately overcome with emotion. Feelings of gratitude, feelings of pride and proudness, feelings of recognition and warmth.

It reassured her that she has been doing the right thing all these years and that all her hard work has paid off.

“Both Caught in Southie and the South Boston Neighborhood House are local organizations that are committed to making the neighborhood a better place,” Maureen said.  “I’m so proud to be recognized by such an amazing organization that has been strengthening this community for over 120 years.” 

Kathy Lafferty, Executive Director of the South Boston Neighborhood House and a fellow Southie lifelong resident, is the one who delivered the news to Maureen over lunch at Petula’s one Thursday. On behalf of the organization and board of directors, Lafferty said they are proud that Maureen will be accepting the award and look forward to celebrating together on Friday, March 28th.

“Maureen is a fierce advocate for South Boston. She is a champion for the people and the causes that impact our community and has been a huge supporter of ‘The Ollie’ and our work for a very long time.” 

To join in on the cause and to support both Maureen and Lafferty, you can purchase your tickets to the gala here. Beginning at 6:00 PM at the Seaport Hotel, the night will be filled with entertainment from start to finish with a cocktail hour, live music, live auction and more.

P.S. Here are some words from a few fellow Southie business owners…

“I have followed Caught in Southie for my daily news and updates about the neighborhood since 2015. Little did I know that one day Maureen would post one of my charcuterie boards and help me go viral where I left my corporate job to open up my own brick and mortar in South Boston. Maureen has not only been a huge supporter for me and my business but for all of the small businesses in the area. South Boston is lucky to have her.” – Talya Pesselano, Owner of Talya’s Dirty Italian

“Maureen is an amazing pillar of the South Boston community. She is a great advocate for small businesses and has been a tremendous community supporter. There is a very special individual behind the always fun to read Caught in Southie – someone who truly cares about people and their community.” – Mary Lattouf, Owner of Lulu Green