Marie Thérèse Foley passed away peacefully on January 17, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was 94.
The daughter of Sara Ann (née Green) and Frederick W. O’Brien M.D., she was born and grew up at 465 Beacon Street, in Boston, Mass., on March 27, 1926. She was a graduate of Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, class of 1943, and Trinity College, Washington, D.C., class or 1947.
Her father was a renowned radiologist and her brothers, Fred and Dick, followed him in that profession. Marie was headed down that same path until, at Trinity, learning that science labs were held on Saturdays, she switched her major to Economics.
It was in North Scituate, Mass., where she spent summers that she married Donald R. Foley on September 4, 1948. They raised their family in the Boston suburbs. While living in Boston, Mrs. Foley was an active member of the Ace of Clubs, a women’s charitable organization founded by Rose Fitzgerald and was featured modeling with her three oldest daughters in “She Dresses for Her Life: Young Suburbanite Fashions” in the Boston Post in October 1954.
After moving to Rye in 1962, she became a member of the 18th Twig, a volunteer organization benefiting United Hospital. Once her youngest child was in high school, she began a successful real estate career with Jed Dolce Realty and Merritt Associates. Her calm, clearheaded advice when buying or selling a house was her hallmark; clients said real estate was not the same once she retired.
Always athletic, her tennis skills made her the star of the 1966 Post Grape Nuts commercial featuring the Foley Family of Rye. She was a member of the Manursing Island and Apawamis clubs.
In 1985, Marie and Don retired to Jupiter, Fla. where, after raising seven children, she could devote time to golf again. The following year, she won the Ladies’ 9 Hole Championship at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club.
Marie Foley found great strength in her faith and was a regular communicant through the years at St. Cecilia Parish in Boston, Church of the Resurrection in Rye, and St. Jude Catholic Church in Tequesta, Fla.
Unfailingly gracious and polite, she always put others first and cherished her family and friends, especially those made at Sacred Heart and Trinity. Throughout her life, the girls and boys from North Scituate held a special place in her heart. They would regale each other with memories of escapades at Scituate Yacht and Hatherly Country clubs and Minot Beach. Tales of a certain Woodie station wagon in the late 1930s, with pals hanging out the windows or riding the running boards at any given time, always brought smiles and laughter.
Mrs. Foley was predeceased by her husband of 70 years Don Foley in October 2018, her infant son Peter, and her brothers, Frederick and Richard. She is survived by her seven children: Sarah J. Foley, Joan F. Brennan (Patrick), Marie T. Parsons (William), Karen F. Freeman (Eric), Elizabeth C. Foley, Janet E. Foley and Donald R. Foley II (Lisa); her 12 grandchildren: Kate Bradbury, Shane Brennan (Zohray), PJ Brennan (Kristen), Ted Brennan (Kate), Mary Beth Stiles, Brigid Austin (Andrew), Kevin Brennan (Ashley), Molly Woltjen (Thomas), Christopher Freeman, Tyler Foley, Sgt. Sean Foley USMC and Dillon Foley; and her 21 great-grandchildren to whom she was “Super Nana”.
When it is again safe to gather, memorial Masses will be held in Jupiter and Boston.
Donations in Marie Foley’s memory may be made to Hope Rural School in Indiantown, Fla., or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
