OBITUARY: Patricia A. Moroney, 72, Retired Shawsheen Elementary School Teacher

Below is an obituary from Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Patricia A. Moroney, age 72, passed away peacefully at the Kaplan House on Thursday, January 1, 2026, following a brief illness. She was the loving and devoted wife of Joseph “Mick” Moroney, with whom she shared over 47 wonderful years of marriage.

Born in Arlington, Massachusetts on September 8, 1953, she was first of three children of the late Michael J. and Elizabeth (Durkin) Shaughnessy. Pat was raised in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School. She later earned both her bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst, and her master’s degree from Lesley University, accomplishments that both drove the career she loved, and reflected her intelligence, curiosity, and lifelong love of learning.

While her children were young, Pat chose to stay home with them, pouring herself wholeheartedly into motherhood. She was a constant presence in their lives—deeply attentive, encouraging, and endlessly supportive. No sporting event, school activity, or milestone was ever too small for her undivided attention. That devotion only grew as her grandchildren started coming along; she could always be found cheering on her grandchildren from the sidelines, beaming with pride.

After her children were in school, Pat returned to the classroom and went on to have a long and fulfilling career as a teacher at the Shawsheen School in Wilmington, where she taught first and second grade for over 20 years. She was admired for her sharp mind, patience, and genuine care for her students.

Pat loved to gather the people she loved most together as often as possible. She was a wonderful cook and a natural hostess who took great joy in opening her home, feeding anyone who walked through the door, and making family and friends feel welcome and cared for. Her spirit was generous and unmistakable—she loved deeply, openly, and loudly, and no one could ever doubt how much they meant to her.

She also enjoyed traveling with her husband, particularly spending time at their home in Palm Beach, Florida, as well as attending the theater. Yet no matter where she went, she never liked being away for long; her heart was always with her children and grandchildren back home, and she was happiest when everyone was close by. Pat’s intelligence, warmth, fierce love for her family, and unwavering support of those she cherished will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew her.

Along with her dear husband Mick, Pat is survived by her five adoring children, Joseph Moroney and his wife Alanna of Wilmington, Ryan Moroney and his wife Julie of N. Attleboro, Sean Moroney of Wilmington, Brynna Ronan and her husband Michael of Woburn, and Conor Moroney and his wife Kimberley of Swanzey, NH; her 17 cherished grandchildren, Alexcia, Donovan, Joseph “Mick V”, Aislin, Teagan, Cole, Rory, Madelyn, Emmett, Lillian, Evangeline, Sorcha, Lainey, Aine, Cordelia, Callum, and Cillian; her loving siblings, Michael Shaughnessy and his wife Jill of Westford, and Dennis Shaughnessy and his wife Ginger of Ipswich; Her siblings in law, Mark Moroney and his wife Karen of Medway, Maureen Moroney of Methuen, and Timothy Moroney of Merrimac, as well as many other dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass for Pat on Friday, January 9th at 11 am at St. Thomas-Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington. At the request of the family, burial will be held at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s honor may be made to Tunnels to Towers (t2t.org).