Obituary of Marueen G. (McKean) Liacos

Maureen G. (McKean) Liacos PEABODY – Maureen G. (McKean) Liacos, 80, beloved wife of the late Paul J. Liacos, former Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, entered into eternal rest on October 7, 2009, at the Hillsborough County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Goffstown, NH, after a long illness. Maureen was born in South Dakota and the third child of the late James and Sarah (MacFarland) McKean. Maureen met her husband, Paul, in Texas while working for American Airlines and Paul, at the time, serving in the U.S. Air Force as a Lieutenant. After marrying, Maureen and Paul moved to Paul’s hometown of Peabody, MA, into the family home on Sparrow Lane where they lived together for over 40 years. Maureen loved photography, history, archeology, cooking and horticulture. While raising her four children Maureen earned her degree in Archeology from Boston University. Maureen also studied to become a professional photographer. She worked for the Peabody Essex Museum and was proud to help photograph and conserve the museum’s fragile 19th century maritime negative collection. She also took pride in her photographs that were published in numerous text books. As an avid horticulturist, Maureen personally designed her landscaped yard which included a wide variety of plants that offered a blooming event throughout three seasons. The family grounds served as an elegant and enjoyable backdrop for many summer gatherings and social events which were enjoyed by the many family, neighbors and friends who often visited. Maureen was a supporter of many charitable organizations, most notably the St. Joseph’s Indian School which is dedicated to helping the Lakota (Sioux) children in South Dakota. Maureen is survived by four children, James, Diana, Mark and Gregory; five grandchildren, Mary Ellen, Paul, John, Zachary and Rachel; her sister, Velva Roberts; and her many nieces and nephews. The Liacos Family will receive visitors at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, Peabody, Massachusetts. A celebration of Maureen’s life will take place at 11:00 a.m. and burial will immediately follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or www.alz.org or to the St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain, SD 57326, www.stjo.org.