Patricia A. (Nolan) Foley
Patricia Anne (Nolan) Foley, of Holbrook, passed away October 26, 2020. She was born to Mary Sheehan Nolan and Lawrence Nolan in Cambridge MA. Along with her sister Judith, they moved to Quincy a few years later where she attended St Johns School, graduated Archbishop Williams High School in 1955 and Katherine Gibbs School in 1957. She married Thomas J. Foley April 23,1960 and they moved to Holbrook in 1963 where she raised her 5 children after they separated and subsequently divorced.
When her sons attended Head Start in the late 60’s she was a volunteer parent advocate and was offered a position as an administrative assistant for Head Start in Brockton which was operated by Self Help. She then was instrumental in starting the Fuel Assistance Program for Self Help in Brockton in the mid 1970’s. In 1992 she became Director of Head Start until she retired in October 2014 after building the Head Start Program in Brockton to where it is today. She was Massachusetts Head Start Association President for three years and New England Head Start Association President for four years. She served as Holbrook Town Meeting Member for many years, Holbrook High School Booster Club member and became president of the Booster Club. She was elected to the Holbrook School Committee and became Chairman for 7 years.
She was predeceased by her parents Mary, Larry, her partner Maxwell J Arsenault, grandson David Orpin, her dear niece Kathleen Jones as well as special cousin Maureen Carney.
She is survived by her children Carolyn Millett and husband John of Attleboro and Orleans, Stephen Foley of Quincy, Mark Foley of Holbrook, Linda Foley of Andover, Susan McSheffrey of Attleboro, daughter in law Debra Foley of East Freetown, her dear sister Judith Donahue and her husband John of Worcester.
She was devoted to her grandchildren Brian Foley and his wife Giselle, Sean Millett and his wife Megan, Patrick Foley and wife Lacey, Stephen Foley and Catherine Jessop, Mark Millett, Colleen Millett and Peter Scharf, Conor McSheffrey, Aidan McSheffrey, Nolan Orpin, Ethan Orpin, Nora Orpin and Matthew Foley and his dear mother Heather Lemoine. She was great grandmother to Declan and Ezra and was looking forward to the upcoming births of two great granddaughters. She was also a dear aunt to Michael Donahue, Timothy Donahue and his wife Christine, Timothy Jones, Lee Jones and Theodore Donahue as well as Kevin Carney, Brian Carney, Sharon Carney and Tracy McGonagle.
Visiting hours will be held at the Hurley Funeral Home, 127 So. Franklin St. (Rt. 37), Holbrook on Thursday, October 29th from 4-7pm. A private funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in Holbrook on Friday October 30th followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery at 11:15am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours and interment. Covid-19 restrictions will be observed.
Guestbook
First Name: Lisa
Last Name: Holbrook
City:
State: FL
Country: Daytona shores Florida
Entry Date: 10/27/2020
Remember Pat years ago when she was friends with my good friends Mari & Carole sweet lady full of life
First Name: Karen
Last Name: MacFaun
City: Halifax
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 10/27/2020
Words alone cannot express my heartfelt sympathy. I work at Head Start and spent many a time hearing Pat say my name in raised voice, but also new I could go to her for anything and she would be there me. Pat had a temper that she gladly shared with us many times throughout the years but she put so much love and energy into supporting the staff, children and families at Head Start that it was easy to see where her heart belonged. She loved to talk about her grandchildren, she was such a proud grandmother. She will live in the hearts of many Head Start employees and former employees. She will be missed greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you mourn the loss of your mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and Aunt.
First Name: Edna
Last Name: Vazquez
City: SabanaGrande
State: PR
Country:
Entry Date: 10/28/2020
Our condolences to all the family. I was a Self Help Headstart teacher from 1991 to 2008. Pat was a great and loveable person. May she rest in peace.
First Name: Jane
Last Name: Woods
City: Wilmingtonn
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 10/28/2020
My condolences to you and your family. Her memory will keep your heart full of love. Love Jane and Bob
First Name: April
Last Name: Moore
City: Brockton
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 10/28/2020
Mark I’m sorry for your loss, your mother was a beautiful person inside and out, she will be greatly missed.
First Name: Lois
Last Name: Sullivan
City:
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 10/28/2020
Many fond memories from my years at Head Start. My deepest sympathy to Pat’s family. RIP
First Name: Phillip
Last Name: Hibbard
City: Gladys
State: VA
Country: US
Entry Date: 10/28/2020
I'm so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with all of you
First Name: LorraineF
Last Name: Simon
City: Randolph
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 10/28/2020
Deepest sympathy to family of Pat Foley. I have worked with her for over 30 years in Self Help Inc and in Head Start. She helped hundreds to improve their lives with her brilliant leadership and shining example. She inspired me to become a guest reader and to serve on Head Start Policy Council. I will continue to volunteer in Head Start in her memory.
First Name: Yvette
Last Name: Mendes
City: Brockton
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 10/28/2020
How deeply sadden I am to hear of Pat’s passing. I am both a former parent and employee of HeadStart. Since my departure in 2013 I can honestly say that Pat Foley was someone who I missed and often thought about. She was a PHENOMENAL women who cared for the well being of the children their families and the staff at HeadStart. A building meeting wasn’t a building meeting without Pat being present.
My condolences to all! May you rest in the sweetest peace Pat.
First Name: Julia
Last Name: Wenzel-Kemink
City: Austin
State: TX
Country:
Entry Date: 10/29/2020
My deepest condolences to all of Pat's family and friends. I worked for Pat in the Holbrook School System and then at Head Start for many years. She will be greatly missed by so many people. May she RIP
First Name: Joan
Last Name: Brown
City: Holbrook
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 10/29/2020
Carolyn Steven Mark Linda and Susan
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. I have fond memories of growing up in Revere Acres with all of you. Your mom was a hard worker and a loving mom. May she Rest In Peace.
Joan Montgomery Brown
First Name: John
Last Name: Poirier
City: Holbrook
State: MA
Country: Holbrook
Entry Date: 10/29/2020
Pat was a nice person we new her a long time she will be miss
From You Neighber Mary & Michael Percy & John
First Name: Ellen
Last Name: Nolan Previte
City: Gloucester
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 10/30/2020
What a special lady Pat Nolan Foley was. I was always happy to see my Cousin Pat. She always had a kind word and sweet smile, she was always positive.
Most of all I admired her as an amazing, devoted Mother.
For sure, her large family all have positive memories of Dear Pat, to help them through these difficult days.
First Name: MARY GRACE
Last Name: CARRAGGI
City: BRIDGEATER
State: MA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 10/30/2020
Sorry for your loss. A beautiful, warm, loving person. Always smiling.. I will miss her dearly and keep the fond memories close to my heart. Love Gracie, Dennis, Nicole, Kelsey and Kathryn Carraggi
First Name: Kristi
Last Name: Lam
City: Olathe
State: KS
Country:
Entry Date: 10/30/2020
Our hearts are heavy at the loss of such a beautiful person. Prayers and comfort for you all.
Kin, Kristi, Michael & Anika Lam
First Name: Carol
Last Name: Chandler
City: Rockland
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 10/30/2020
So sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you.
First Name: John
Last Name: Mc Fadden
City: holbrook
State: MA
Country: usa
Entry Date: 10/30/2020
Very sorry to hear of her passing. She was on the Holbrook School Committee when I worked there and was a wonderful person to know and supported the kids and the school system during her tenure.
First Name: shawn
Last Name: sheehan
City: weymouth
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 10/30/2020
Judy-- I am sorry to hear of Pat's passing. My sincere condolences to you and your families. Love and God bless.
First Name: Andrea
Last Name: Ellin
City:
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 10/31/2020
I’m so sorry for you loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family