Ann Holleran (Hingham, MA)
On most early summer mornings, you could find Ann Holleran with a cup of coffee happily working in her garden, pulling weeds, moving this perennial to that spot with just the right amount of sun, and feeding and nurturing the plants to their full potential. In life, just as in her garden, Ann warmly gave her love and attention to her family and friends, resulting in a lifetime of love and happiness.
Ann Bernice Cummings was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 31, 1946, to Elizabeth Killoran Cummings of Sligo, Ireland, and William Cummings of Norton, New Brunswick. She, along with her five siblings, was raised in and forever proud of Cranston, Rhode Island. As an adult, Ann, with wide eyes and a big smile, would tell stories of her childhood on “Doric Ave” with her siblings, Kevin, Bill, Mary, Margaret, and Jim, and her hardworking Irish and Canadian extended family.
After a brief but earnest attempt at convent life (Ann did not enjoy the quiet), Ann’s lifelong interest in working with and bettering the lives of children began when she was hired as a Child Care Worker at St. Vincent’s Home in Fall River, Massachusetts, working alongside her little brother, Jim. It was also at St. Vincent’s that Ann met the love of her life, John Holleran, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, who pronounced the day that he met her that he would marry her. As luck would have it, Ann and John were bound for the same wedding the following month, where John deftly removed any doubts on Ann’s part as to the sensibilities of his proclamation, and they were married on August 22, 1971.
In the next eight years, Ann and John welcomed, Kara Elizabeth, Daniel John, and Brendan John, who they lovingly raised in Hingham, Massachusetts, and who they took every opportunity to visit their Fishkill, Narragansett, Cranston, St. John, Fall River, and Winchester cousins, aunts and uncles. These visits have blossomed to unbreakable bonds. In 1986, Ann and John grew the family and adopted in love Nancy and Silvia Pincov. Later on, Danny wed Mary Cogan and Silvia married Scott Fabrizio.
Managing the demands of a busy household, Ann earned a Masters in Social Work (with high honors) from Boston College at the age of 44. Shortly thereafter, she began working as a social worker at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Randolph where she brought her wisdom and love and training to improve the lives of the students there until she retired in 2014. Her MSW academically reinforced Ann’s instinctive and deep empathy for children and families.
“Granny Annie” loved to have fun with and (loudly) cheer on every accomplishment of her children and grandchildren, Thomas, James, Callie, Casey, Mia, Chloe, Liam, and Timmy. Her and Papa John’s adventures with them included sleepovers with Granny’s mac & cheese, convertible rides for Hornstra ice cream, and accidentally attending mildly inappropriate musicals (that the grandchildren enjoyed both the inappropriateness and Granny’s reaction!)
Through the whirlwind of work, responsibilities, raising children, and enjoying grandchildren, Ann always made time for good times and laughs with John, her family, and dear friends from every corner of her life. For what is life, according to Ann, if not a wonderful, mirthful journey with the ones you love. Although Ann left us on June 12, 2022, and our hearts ache for more time with our wife, mother, sister, aunty, granny, and friend, she planted the seeds of love and left a beautiful garden for all of us.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Tuesday 4-8 PM in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9 AM on Wednesday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Paul’s Church, Hingham at 10 AM with a graveside service at High Street Cemetery. Cremation will follow. A luncheon to follow at the Cohasset Golf Club to celebrate Ann’s life.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ann may be made to The Lead Out Foundation https://tlofoundation.org/.
Beautiful recounting of the life of an amazing person. She will be long remembered with so much fondness. We will miss her but will forever feel and hopefully spread her love for life and for everyone she knew.
What a amazing spirit Mama Holleran m. Love you and will forever keep your memory in my heart! Especially those Swedish meatballs after Spring Break in Cancun and Christmas Eve celebrations
I shared a few laughs with Ann while working with her in RPS. What a beautiful spirit!
Our hearts are saddened at the passing of Ann. We remember Ann and John and the kids and their kindness. The Callinans love our family.
Mom, Gloria loves the Holleran family. She remembers them well. Our prayers of comfort to the family but especially to John. The passing of the love of your life will be hard. We have wonderful pictures of your kids and grand kids from Christmas time! You are in our prayers, the God of all Comfort, Comfort you! Love cousin, Ann Callinan Bannister and family.
Beautiful lady I remember her At Gramma Cummings farm in Southfield and later at our Cummings Reunions
So sad to hear of Ann’s passing. I remember her well when she and her family would come to visit her Canadian relatives at the Moosehorn. Being a bit younger than her I was always in awe of how beautiful she was.
May your love and precious memories of Ann help you in your time of sorry. Rest In Peace Ann.
Bernice Hourihan Wilson (cousin)
Ann always paid a visit to my Mum whenever she came to visit the Moosehorn relatives. She was a favorite in Mum’s eyes with her beautiful smile and bubbly personality.
My sincere condolences to the Holleran family.
So very sorry for your loss. I remember Ann with her great smile. Seen her many times in at Grammas at the cabins and at the parties down at Mary and Bills house. She sure loved and enjoyed her trips to Norton, N. B. Thoughts and prayers to all the family.
Sorry to hear of Ann’s passing my condolences to you all .
And when you have reached the mountain top, then shall you begin to climb,,,,,,,,, And when the earth has claimed your limbs, then shall you truly dance!!!!!! Our thoughts are with you, John,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Janet and John Knox
Gordon and I are offering our condolences on the passing of our beautiful cousin Ann
Ann was one of the very first staff members who welcomed me warmly to the John F. Kennedy School. She checked in on me everyday to make sure I was settling in okay. She had a wonderful little, big laugh that was infectious, as was her smile. She was passionate about her work and gentle with those who were fortunate to work with her. She will be missed indeed! May we all keep beautiful memories of Ann alive in our hearts.