 | | | June 6, 1931 - June 8, 2022 | | | | | | Maureen Hession passed away peacefully at home on June 8. A resident of Lafayette since 1978, she grew up in Cappamore, County Limerick, Ireland. Born on June 6, 1931, to Anne and William Ryan, she was the oldest of her siblings Nellie, Nan, Michael and Phyllis.
As a young woman, Maureen moved to Hastings, England to study nursing at St. Helen's hospital. There, she formed close, lifelong friendships with her fellow nurses.
At a dance, she met the love of her life, John Hession, who also worked at the hospital. They married on February 8, 1956, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Hastings. That June, Maureen and John set out on a great adventure, crossing the Atlantic Ocean onboard the Queen Mary, to a new life in America.
Settling in San Jose, they started their family with the birth of their first son, Kevin, followed one year later with Michael, three years later with Eileen and three years later with Nancy.
In 1967, a career opportunity for John prompted a move to Brussels, Belgium, where their youngest son Chris was born. The family enjoyed holidays and vacations with relatives who lived throughout England and Ireland.
Living in Europe introduced their children to various cultures and countries. While John traveled extensively throughout the world for work, Maureen kept everything running smoothly at home.
In 1978, the family moved back to the United States to live in Lafayette.Maureen loved being around family including grandchildren Kathryn, Peter, Lauren, Nicole, Daniel, Conor, Claire and Sarah. She and her sisters kept close ties through correspondence and phone calls.
One of Maureen's proudest moments was becoming a United States citizen. She adored animals, especially her devoted tabby Ollie. An avid gardener, she enjoyed puttering among the flowers and watching hummingbirds and other birds visit the backyard feeders.
Parishioners for more than 40 years at St. Perpetua Catholic Church, it became the center of their spiritual life for John and Maureen, who attended mass together and became greatly involved in the church community.
Maureen is survived by her husband John; son Kevin and his wife Stephanie; son Michael and his wife Kristin; daughter Eileen (Dufau) and her husband Dave; daughter Nancy (Monaco) and her husband Kevin; son Chris and his wife Jamie; grandchildren Kathryn, Peter, Lauren, Nicole, Daniel, Conor, Claire and Sarah; sisters Nellie Daly, Phyllis Bell, cousins including John O'Connell and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, July 1 in the chapel at St. Perpetua Catholic Church, 3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette. A private burial with the family will follow. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA