Southie Mother All-stars
The Honor Roll
They had a half dozen kids or more. They cooked, cleaned, did mountains of laundry and mended clothes. Kissing scraped knees, breaking up sibling rivalries and having a hug at the ready was part of their job. They instilled family values and were the heart of the family. Here is our honor roll of All-Star South Boston Mothers. (We realize this is just the tip of the iceberg, so send us the names that we missed – [email protected])
(above photo: me, my mom and my brother circa 1974 in South Boston.)
Bridie Keane
Catherine O’Toole
Cathy Flynn
Catty Sullivan
Doris Allen
Doris Noonan
Dot O’Neil
Elaine McGuire
Helen Davenport
Helen Farmer (13 children)
Hon Rooney
Jackie Lee
Jean Lavey
Marie Morris
Marion Ritz
Mary Bulger
Mary Bulger Hurley
Mary Maiullari
Mary Sylvester
Nancy Lee
Ronnie Barrett
Sis Lunnin
Pricilla Miller
Mary Collins
Nancy Moynihan
Rita Dolley
Nora King
Ethel McDonough
Mary MacDonald
MaryAnne Miller
Peggy Itri
Lee Burke
Debbie Walsh
Karen Regan
Mary McCarthy Collins
Lynne Adams
Ann Adams
Jeanette Greeley
Ethel Jane McDonough Hayden
Lorayne Joyce Carberry
Monica Sullivan
Mary Donovan
Mary (Jane) Rheault
Jayne Rheault Talbot
Paula O’Brien Ferris
Dorothy Jennings Uftring
Jacqueline Lavery
Dorothy Warwick
Linda Leeman
Jacqueline Jankowski
Sheila Horrocks
Christine Medeiros
Lori Andrews
Arlene McDonough
Jeannie OToole
Ursula Cunniff
Mary Boyle
Helen McDougall
Mary Mahoney
Vera Wilson
Peggy Carey
Joanne Kuzmich
Catty Sullivan
Mary Mahoney
Anna Kerkorian
Peg Delaney (13 Children)
Gertrude J. Chapin
Leanne Burke
Joan Carthas
Debra Keaney
Nancy Farma
Barbara Coyne
Marie Andrews
Cathy Fromm
Susan Gailunas
Dolly Talbot
Theresa Burgess
Coleen Carroll
Theresa Fleming
Judy Lee Yetman
Anne “Patsy” Paige
Pat Lescinskas
Diane Applegate
Betty Buckley
Mary Woods
Roseanne Casper
Linda Delaney
Audrey Mikshenas
Jacquelynne O’Toole
Edie Linhen
Ellie Ward
Stella Kasianowicz (Babci)
Emma Ward
Rose Dana Downey
Betty Curley
Janice Hynes
Ann Kennedy
Edie Morrill
Ellen Folan
Susan Linehan Rooney
Pat Walsh McCarthy
Mary Ellen Walsh Ryan
Mary McCormack
Dawna LaMonica
Dolly Cushman
Kay Evans
Peggy Cosetta
Mary Flohr
Patricia Finn
Ellie Cherry
Mary Ustach
Frances Platukis
Kathleen O’Shea
Chickie Kennedy
Shirley Toland
Virginia Toland
Mary Van Osdol
Mary Barbara Walsh
Nancy McCarthy
Sherry Tradd
Mary Joyce (17 children)
Helen McCormick
Mary Duncan Porter Wiseman
Jean Parenteau DeVoy
Peggy Foley
Rita Cuddyer
Nancy Foley
Irene Comeau
Eileen (Sis) Dwyer
Margaret England
Mary Ghella
Katherine Rogers Concannon
Meg Perkins
Honey Earner
Jacqueline Gregorio (10 children)
Betty Lafferty (11 children)
Kit McGrath
Joyce Lebedew
Barbara Lebedew
Betty Sweeney
Doris Feeney Kenney
Dotty Bothwell
Peg Greene
Paula Neff
Claire Bailey Reale
Flo Logan
Pamela Mazzeo
Peggy Flaherty
Carol Ryan
Leona McLaughlin
Claire Thomas
Ruthann “Donnelly” Lee 5 children
Marie Coveney Lawson
Rita Orsini
Jamie O’Bryan
Diane Collins
Carol Brand
Diane “Didi” Sleeper
Anne L. Butler
Bridget Bridie O’Donnell
Winne Coleman
Jean C. Walsh had 10 children and raised 4 grandchildren.
Rose Hayes Leonard had 7 children.
Ma Goyette had 9 children.
Eileen McQueen
Mary O’Haire McQueen
Mrs. Cunningham
Anna Brown
Peggy Lawson Joly – 8 children – 84 grandchildren/great grandchildren – lived until she was 101 years old!
Peggy Alcione
Marcia Fallon
Janet Lynch
Donna Harland – 7 kids plus foster kids!
Janice McNeil – 6 kids
Jessica Nauyokas-ZIngg
Gertie Nauyokas
Mary McKunes – 7 kids – 14 grandchildren
Marie Lane Dunker 7 kids
Erica Greene
Marie Butler
Rita Shea
Agnes Loftus 7 kids
Lizzy Loftus 5 kids
Mary Schallmo Carroll – 7 kids
Barbara Juliano 9 kids
Alice Dubreuil 5 kids
Maria Juliano
Jo Manning 9 children, 22 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren
Amy Mulrooney
Virginia Curran
Christine O’Brien
Mary C. O’Brien
Ann Novicki 9 kids
Mary Quigley
Mary Larosa
Maryellen Walsh – 8 Children.
Vivian Martin – 8 children.
Mary Devin, 10 children
Theresa Doyle
Margaret Ahern
Mary McNally 6 kids
Cathrine (Kay) O’Connor 7 kids
Nancy Lydon
Sarah Fitzpatrick- 5 children- 18 grandchildren and 1great grandchild
Mrs. Shiner
Linda Cahill
Jeanne Marie Feeney
Lorraine “Rainey” Gurley
Alice Princiotta – 16 kids
Eleanore Shoulla
Anna Turner – 7 children
Christine OBrien
Mary C. OBrien
Ann Novicki – 9 kids
Florence Shelter – 6 kids
Kristen Weeks
Annie Downey
Beverly Spencer
June Greig Byrne
Kristin Heather Tinlin
Donna Camillo
Beverly Hosea
Kerry Turner
Deb O’Mara
Rosemary Berlandi
Janet Bartel
Ginny Bates
Lucy O’Brien
Margie O’Brien
Pat Brown
Catherine O’Brien (mother of 12)
Rita O’Brien
Nancy O’Brien
Peggy Ronca
Lynne Ronca
Rose Rosa
Grace Ann Powers-Walsh
Bridget Nee Walsh
Donna Quigg
Nora Madden
Ellie Hart
Lisa Noll
Chrissie Lane-Garceau
Ruth Bernardi
Peg Mahoney
Flo Young
Dot Roache
Mary Downs
Maryann KaneJoannie Jankowski
Jeanne Jankowski
Maureen Galewski
Donna Baldwin
Karen Ceurvels
Marianne Baiona
Irene McDonald
Ellen Felton
Kathy Rae
Jennifer Higgins
Jan Aughe
Marie Marshman
Nancy Pickup
Margaret Steiner
Nancy Carter
Courtney Sheppeck
Catherine Hurley
Catherine Kane
Dianne Paull
Kristine Lynch
Jessica Lynch
Caitlin Lynch
Kayleigh Adams
Shannon McCormick
Betty Kelley
Marianne Baiona
Terry Ryan
Elizabeth Breen
Betty Breen
Louise “Ma Higgs” Higgins
Kathleen Ryan
Jackie Young
Diane Yanovitch
Mary Glynn
Loretta Balboni
Theresa Mirowski
Dottie Conley – 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren
Joan McPhee – 6 children, 12 grandchildren, 5 great children
Joanne Callahan
Mary Callahan
Mary Quigley – 6 children, let the sons’ band practice in the basement.
Virginia Crowe
Midge Manning
Kay Farrell
Pat Sheehey
Elaine “Stacy” Flaherty, former Mayor of South Boston
Patsy Kelley
Andrea Linehan
Helen Pano
Blanche Linehan
Elizabeth (Sis) Rouse Welch (7 children)
Doris Stapleton
Maureen “Sis” Salmanowich
Dottie McDougall
Ellie Cherry
Rita Doherty
Peggy Dowling
Mary Ustach
Ann Maguire
Sis Cloherty
Florence “Flossie” McDonough
Mary Smart White
Lee Ahern
Jackie Conway
Eileen Quinn
Eileen Dwyer 7 children
Pauline Morgan
Lillian Stewart (9 kids)
Nina Hayes
Jenna Fitzgerald
Agnes Hayes
Joanie Hayes
Katie Hayes Corbitt
Maureen Norton
Mary Jane O’Brien
Jane Good
Janice McCarthy
Doreen Finnegan’
Erin Alexander
Vera Segerstedt Farley
Veronica Lydon
Bernadette O’Sullivan
Mary McDonough (10 kids)
Nancy Menjin
Stacey Menjin
Pauline Sidonio McCarthy – 7 children
Mildred Powell – 6 kids, 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren
Margaret Fagan
Geraldine Lennon-Abban
Donna “Nanny” Coakley
Elaine Malone
Helen Anderson
Carole Nee
Donna Wallace
Maria Blasi
Mary Mercier
Patty McKinnon
Helen Alix
Debby Flaherty
Ann Flaherty
Dolly Lowe
Janice McNeil
Judy Hartnett
Dolores Coffey
Kathleen Mahon Christian
Dorothy Christian
Katelyn Kilburn
Mary Orton – 10 children
Patricia Bolstad – 6 children
Christine Griffin – 7 children
Joy Lindenfelzer
Jacqueline Moynihan
Lizzy Ferris
Popo Roberts
Ann Valle
Margie Lee Parenteau
Betty LeClair – 7 children
Shoe Shoe DeGrandis – 6 children
Penny Murphy – 8 children
Mary (Cann) Fleming
Helen McCormick
Joanne King – 7 children, 18 grandchildren + 3 great grandchildren
Kimberly Watson
Colleen Watson Dunlap
Donna Rosher Watson
Dawn Watson
Tracy Malone
Donna O’Brien
Sally Belmonte
Mary Hurley(91) Mother of 6, grandmother to 18 great-grandmother to 10.
Patricia O’Neil
Sandra Dinsmore 4 children, then raised her 4 grandchildren, then raised 4 great-grandchildren
Ellen Shiner
Dianne Horne
Khrissy Dinsmore
Tiffany Horne
Donna Anglin-Heafey mother of 6
Claire Thomas ( 7 kids)
Alice Dubreuil mother of 5, grandmother of 8, great-grandmother of 9 and great great grandmother to 1 granddaughter
Barbra Juliano, mother of 9, grandmother of 25, great-grandmother of 35 and great great grandmother of 7
Helen Romikitis 9 children
Patricia Connors- mother of 6, grandmother 16, great-grandmother of 11 and great-great-grandmother of 2.
Jacqueline Connors
Elizabeth Lombard – mother of 5, grandmother of 3
Alena Flohr
Anna Powers
Kelly Powers
Patricia Nemet
Doris (Feeney) Kenney – 9 children
Sarah Eileen McQueen aka Ma McQueen to the kids in D street projects, 7 children, 28 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren
Helen Hurley 6 kids,18 grandchildren
Noreen Fitzmaurice
Peggy Kinneavy 7 kids
Jeanne Mogan
Laurie Mogan
Peggy McGowan Gaide
Nancy McDermott Ridge Bibbey
Mildred Powell
Eileen Nagle
Rose Meaney
Jacqulyn Collins
Katelyn Taylor
Frances Noto, mother of 2 grandmother to 3 great grandmother to 7 and great great grandmother to 5.
Rachael Ashman
Michelle “Chucka” Baldwin
Patty Butler Shebertes
Kay Baldwin
Ellen Issac
Marjie Holly
Sandra Welch-Crowle
Bridget Skarie
Helen Romikitis
Molly MacDonald
Jackie MacDonald Romikitis
Jennifer Evans
Mary Hurley
Dorothy “Dolly” Lind
Kim Moses
Rosemary Pagel
Janet Greeley
Nancy Duross
Andrea Linehan
Ann Linehan
Taylor Duross
Kacy Linehan
Kara Linehan
Kelly Linehan
Jody Bogacz
Annmarie Linehan
Catherine Pryor
Noreen DiNatale
Dorothy E. Connolly
Anne M. Lynch
Lynda Lynch
Delia Ridge
Mary Ridge Kintigos
Catherine Ridge Martin
Barbara Ridge
Marilyn Ridge
Rosalie Meaney
Bitsy Bolstad
Mary Ulrich
Barbara Ward
Theresa Meli Omodei. Mother of 6. Grandmother of 4.
Stefanie Parker. Mother of 3.
Susan Connolly. Mother of 2. Grandmother of 3
Cindy Ferris. Mother of 3. Grandmother of 1
Johanne Tallent – 6 kids
Barbara Anne Conroy
Dorothy Mackie – 13 children
Gail Coakley
Marie O’Keefe
Nancy Burns
Barbara Cassio
Nancy Byrne
Jillian Feeney
Donna Feeney
Kathy Kuzmich
Joyce Kelly
Matilda Ceurvels
Julie Noonan
Donna Baldwin
Kathleen Keaney
Ellie Piers
Joanne Folk
Susan Kelly
Ruth Feeney
Rosemary Martin Zarazinska
Theresa Byrne
Mary Sweeney
Cathy Lunnin
Kiley McColgan
Marie Flaherty
Patricia DeVoe
Mary Ellen Burke Flynn
Judy Ostiguy
Nellie Loftus (8 children)
Dorothy Hogan, 11 kids, 21 grandkids.
Maureen Penson
Patti Arcand
Diane Collins
Diane Didi Sleeper
Carol Brand Austin
Irene Pirelli
Jessica Pirelli
Rosalie Boylan
Gina Dugan
Catherine Niedzwiecki
Marie Butler
Anne Butler
Sharon Butler O’Dwyer
Dede Passamonti
Lorraine “Rainey” Fiasconaro
Janet Wallace
Marion Monahan
Kathleen Fleming
Marge Loux
Carroll Killeen
Happy Mother’s Day!
Maureen Dahill is the founder of Caught in Media. Once a longtime wardrobe and prop stylist for brands such as Rue La La, TJ Max & Hasbro, she is a devoted lover of vintage clothing, Martini Mondays, Castle Island, AND a 4th generation South Boston native. Mother of three, married to Peter G.
51 Comments
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My wife of 5 years, Linda Glennon Leeman is truly a SOUTHIE GEM. Ask anyone!!! I am one lucky Charlestown Townie!!!! Happy Mothers Day
Way to go Mom!!!! I love you !!!!
Ellen Carey’s mother – not sure of her name – from Old COlony
It is a wonderful feeling any time I am reminded about my sister Catty Sullivan.
She was also an All Star Sister and Aunt.
way to go nana lavey!!! love your great grandchildren Sarah and Jack
So happy to see my mother-in-law, Doris Allen, on the list. She truly is one of the most wonderful women I’ve ever had the priviledge to know. I often say, I aspire to be half the mother and woman she is. Love you Doris!!
My mom Lynne Adams has been through so much in life & has always managed to stay strong with a smile on her face & say “I will be ok”…..She has been the most loving, caring, giving, generous mother anyone could ask for in life! If I had one wish, my wish would be for my mom to live the rest of her life HAPPY!! She has instilled in my sister, my brother & myself so many morals & values! I am so grateful for the best mom from Southie EVER!!!
Ma there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of your warm smile, loving hugs and words of encouragement.
Not sure how you raised 6 kids after Dad passed but you did. I guess it was your faith in God and in yourself and us that got you thru it all.
I still joke with John and Colleen when we run into a new situation that needs some thought and we say ” What Would Nana Do” (WWND)
Ma the love and carring that you raised your six children has been the template for each of us to raise our own children.
Thanks,
Glad to see my Mom make the list. It is definately well deserved. There was never a dull moment around the Itri household. How my Mother got 9 of us up, got breakfast into us, got us dressed and off to school I’ll never know. I bet all my brothers & sisters, deep down inside, think they were her favorite. I love you Mom and Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you so much for remembering my Mom – wish I knew who you were!
My Mom is Margaret (Peggy) Carey and whoever knows her, knows she is simply the BEST!!! I actually wrote a story of my Mom a few years ago on here and my Mom WON Mother of the Year!! A title that she wins everyday to all 11 of her kids, she is amazing and beautiful! I am truly blessed with the Best Mom!!
Peg Delaney, 13 children, from L & East Second Street and Mary Deady would helped her raise them all.
Can you please add my mother, Marie Andrews or as she was known by everyone M.A. She was a remarkable woman.
As toddler.
AND TO ALWAYS BE THERE FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTERS.
FLORENCE LOGAN MCDONOUGH.
Took me right out of the hospital! Had 12 of her own, then I was the “baby”, lucky13. Worked cleaning houses to put me through Catholic School. Will never forget that she took me in and did not have to, gave me a wonderful home, she has been deceased since 1973 and it seems like yesterday that I saw her wonderful smiling face. Miss her so.
My mom is Joanne Kuzmich the mother of ten God Bless her. We love her dearly.
I am proud to call Joanne Kuzmich my mom. She is one funny woman. Who doesn’t love her?
Our MOM Kathleen O’Shea is a Loving, Woderful and Caring Mom to 11 Children. She has 10 GIRLS and 1 BOY! She also has numerous Grandchildren and Great Grandchilden. Happy Mother’s Day MOM we LOVE you! And Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s.
Even more than a Southie All Star Mother, Chickie Kennedy is an All Star Grandmother as well! Her and my Dad, Frank Kennedy, have been there for all eight of us through many ups and downs and all-arounds. All eight being very different, yet having the same core strength, Frank and Chickie! Team Kennedy STRONG….
9 kids 2 sets of twins. Happy Mothers Ma. We miss you.
7 Kids 1 set of twins. Happy Mothers Day!! We all miss you very much xoxo
MOTHER OF 9. Couldn't have asked for a more loving and hard working woman.
Mother of 9. The most loving hard working mother I was blessed to call her my MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My mom is Honey Earner, best Mother a girl could ever ask for. She raised 6 children and we all appreciate her more than words could ever say. I love you mom a whole field and more, xoxo
Can My mom make the list Carol Ryan. at 19 she took care of her 3 younger brothers and sisters (parents passed) and had 5 of her own…. Did loads of work at Gate of Heaven too. And I also heard she used to sweat at gillette and owned Krause insurance.
GREAT JOB?????? PAMELA MCDONOUGH MAZZEO
ALL THE LOGANS FROM SILVER STREET…
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND ADOPTED ME WHEN NO ONE CARED!??
YOU TRULY WERE AN ANGEL IN MY EYES…
AND LOVED MY KIDS SO MUCH..I WISH SHE WAS HERE TO MEET ANDREA.
SHE WOULD OF BEEN WITH US EVERYDAY. ..
MISS YOU???
Also TO MARY GREENE MY GRANDMOTHER THAT TOOK CARE OF ME AS WELL….
GREAT WOMAN !
Forgot to add a very important piece of informatiion! My mother's name was Claire Bailey Reale!
Sad to report one of the original great mothers passed away in Feburary.