Eleanor Farrell

Eleanor Farrell, (nee Madden), age 98, of Dorchester, formerly of Roxbury, passed away peacefully of natural causes at her home on May 29, 2025. Eleanor was born in Boston on March 4, 1927. She was the daughter of the late John R. and Mary E. (Goss) Madden. She was predeceased by her four siblings Mary F. Madden, Gertrude Altieri, Raymond J., and Edward J. Madden. She was the devoted wife for over 50 years of the late William S. Farrell, the loving mother of the Hon. William G. Farrell and his wife Regina M., and proud Nana to William G., Jr. and Madeleine E. Farrell. Eleanor is also survived by her nephews Christopher, Matthew and Leonardo Altieri, Jack and Jay Noble, John E. Madden, niece Joan Fiore, and cousin Doris Goss. Eleanor lived through the Great Depression, when her father lost his business and the family home, and then World War II. She was a graduate of the former St. Joseph’s grammar school (1941) and St. Joseph’s Academy (1945) in Roxbury. Eleanor met her husband Bill when they worked together at Brigham’s Ice Cream. She then worked for AT&T (Ma Bell) for over 30 years and was a proud lifetime member of the Communications Workers of America. Eleanor was a trusted sponsor, confidant and friend who inspired many thankful members of OA for almost 50 years.

Eleanor was fiercely independent, living for almost 20 years on her own after the deaths of her husband Bill and brother Ray just a week apart. She had great faith in God, sang in her church choir and made many novenas during the war. She devotedly prayed for the intentions of others and prayed her rosary to the day before she died. She loved all animals, taking in many strays. She turned down a part in a Hollywood movie filmed next to her house because it would take her away from her cats. She mastered knitting, making her own clothes and shopping for bargains at the Goodwill. She enjoyed summers in Maine, Thanksgivings in Malden, visits to Disney World with the Duggans where she dressed as the Fairy God Mother, attending Red Sox games, listening to opera, reading Russian authors, and driving her old Volvos, too fast. She loved caring for children with Down Syndrome at the Kennedy Memorial Hospital when it opened. She prayed to have children and waited 8 years for Billy whom she called her special delivery from God. Always humble, she accepted no credit for his accomplishments even though she was his greatest inspiration and source of support. She was unabashed in her pride for him and her grandchildren, and she loved becoming “Nana Farrell.” Eleanor embodied the best qualities of unconditional love, sacrifice and generosity for her family and friends. Billy, Regina, Will, Maddie, her family and friends remember her with love and gratitude.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a wake to be held in the Sacred Heart Church at 386 Hancock Street, North Quincy on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and to a Funeral Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Louis R. Palmieri on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. at Sacred Heart Church. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery 245 North Street in Randolph.

See www.Keohane.com for directions and online condolances.