Margaret Ann (O'Reilly) Morris

It is with a heavy heart that our family shares the news of the passing of our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Margaret Ann ("Maggie") Morris (O'Reilly), who left us at the age of 72 on September 2, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. 

Maggie's funeral will be a private ceremony held in the presence of close family and friends whom she cherished deeply throughout her life.

 Born on June 9, 1953, in Everett, MA, Maggie was the youngest fraternal twin (by three minutes!) and the second oldest among the four O'Reilly sisters.  She shared a special bond with her sisters, filled with love, support, and a unique understanding only siblings can know.  As we often say, "Sisters may drive you crazy, may irritate you, and make you mad, but if anyone else dares say so, a sister will defend you to the death!" - This online quote truly describes the O'Reilly sisters at heart. 

 Maggie's roots run deep in her family history. Her mother, Frannie, hailed from Charlestown, MA, and her maternal and paternal grandparents journeyed from Ireland to Boston, where they worked tirelessly to create a promising future for their family. The O'Reillys and Caseys have always cherished their extended family in Ireland.

 The O'Reilly family lived in the Ball Square area of Somerville until 1964, when Maggie's parents decided to move to Tewksbury, MA, in search of a better life.  Family gatherings, whether reunions, birthdays, or holidays, were always filled with love and laughter, forging bonds that will endure forever.

 Maggie graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1971.  She began her successful career with her father at Raytheon, who drew upon his family connections to help his daughters find their paths.  Maggie discovered her passion for technology, eventually finding her niche at Vaisala, where she contributed to working on motherboards to build fantastic devices that would change the world, resulting in groundbreaking climate measurement instruments.

 When an opportunity arose for Maggie to relocate to Boulder, Colorado, with Vaisala, she faced a difficult decision.  Despite her career potential, she knew her heart belonged in Massachusetts, surrounded by her loved ones.  She ultimately transitioned to IBM (formerly known as MRO Software Inc.), where she continued to make valuable contributions until her cancer diagnosis in 2006.

 On October 11, 1969, Maggie, her twin sister Mary, and a couple of close friends enjoyed a memorable night at The Lowell Commodore Ballroom, where Maggie met a man and fell in love.  They eventually married and welcomed two beautiful children, whom she adored above all else.  After years of hard work, she purchased her dream, ensuring her kids would grow up close to their grandparents—a deeply valued tradition.

Maggie's home became a haven for family gatherings, welcoming extended family from the city whenever they needed a place to stay.  Her friendships matched her love for family with her Tewksbury friends: the Piccolos; the Ferrellis, the Plazas, the Connors, the Conlons, the Zullos, the Green family, and countless others who enriched her life.

 She had a passion for the beach, enjoyed playing cards, needlepoint quilting, solving crossword puzzles, and was a devoted fan of the game show Jeopardy! Life was not without its challenges.  After her divorce in 1995, Maggie embraced her new role as a determined single mother and faced her fears, including driving—taking the plunge with her first car, affectionately known as "the brown bomber."

 Through every challenge, Maggie's unwavering love for her children remained constant.  She taught them resilience, strength, and love, creating a legacy that they will carry forward in their lives.  As we remember her today, we hold close to the memories of a remarkable woman who prioritized family, cherished friendships, and faced life's challenges with grace and love.

 Maggie holds dear to her heart and will take with her on her new journey, all the time, memories, and love she spent with her two favorite grandchildren, Jocelyn Duval (and family) and Jackson Venice; her son and daughter, Brian Morris of Santa Ana, California, Kathleen Venice (Morris) and son-in-law Bradley R. Venice of Spofford, NH; her loving sisters; Mary Doyle of Lowell, MA, the late Maureen Hall (Kline), and her youngest sister Theresa Leclerc (Squibb) of Goose Creek, SC.; all of her nieces and nephews and their family; her parents, the late Stanley and Frances O'Reilly; her late aunts and uncles, all her cousins, the Venice and Goodnow family who brought her so much joy over the years; the Morris family who stood by her side through thick and thin; and all of her friends and extended family she made throughout her lifetime.  Your love, kind support, and beautiful relationships made Maggie stronger each day of her life.  Love, peace, and kindness to all.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret Ann (O'Reilly) Morris, please visit our floral store.