Mona Lorraine Leary, (nee Romani)
Mona Leary died peacefully after a long, well-lived life on February 1, 2022 at the age of
88. A recent resident of Bedford, she lived in Lexington, MA for 45 years. Mona steadfastly
made her way through life with her constant companion, her beloved and devoted husband of
66 years, John (Jack) Leary, age 94.
She was born on June 4, 1933 in Westfield, MA to Bernard Romani and Antonine
Robillard Romani. Her siblings included: Dr. Bernard (Bink) Romani, Paul Romani, and
Jeannine Romani, all deceased; and a surviving brother, Vincent Romani of Westfield, MA. She
is also survived by her sister-in-law, Eileen Romani of Holyoke, MA.
Mona attended St. Mary's High School in Westfield, MA. In 1954 she graduated from
Saint Elizabeth's in Brighton, MA as a Registered Nurse; where famously, after showing some
initial hesitancy, she was instructed to give all required shots on the floor. Trial by fire was the
order of the day, and would become an integral part of her parenting approach. She later went
on to work at, and retire from, McLean Hospital in Belmont.
She and Jack were married on July 4, 1956. Though they expressed their love for each
other in many ways, it was their unassuming hand-holding that endeared them to others, and
set the bar for romance and partnership. They also expressed their love in dance. Smoothly,
they would take to the dance floor and foxtrot to Sinatra's, "New York, New York." But the true
expression of their love was the family they created. Together, Mona and Jack raised 8 children:
Jack Leary of Northfield, Colleen Leary of Chelmsford, Lou Sirois of Westfield, Gerry Leary
(deceased) of Maine, Nicholas Leary of New Hampshire, Sabena Busa of Billerica, Monique
Leary of California, and Anthony Leary of Winchendon. Mona was the loving mother-in-law to
Carol Leary, Chris Sweetnam, Patricia Leary, Jennifer Leary, John Busa, Alex Krummenacher,
and Jane Leary. She was the devoted and adoring grandparent to 15 grandchildren and 9
great-grandchildren.
As if raising 8 children wasn't enough, Mona and Jack worked with organizations, both
public and private, to provide a home for many children in need of foster care and young
expectant mothers. They worked for Catholic Charities, the Massachusetts Department of Social
Service, and Mystic Valley Mental Health. For over 30 years they provided a refuge for more
than 35 young people in need.
That was not the end of Mona's service. She volunteered with many organizations from
Habitat for Humanity to the Haiti Fund. She delivered groceries, raised funds, was a girl scout
leader, a boy scout leader, a CCD teacher, and more. With every load of laundry, Mona
recovered coins from her careless children's pockets, putting the money aside to be sent to
Globe Santa annually. However, the cornerstone of her charitable focus was the country and
people of Haiti. She traveled to Haiti many times; there she lent a helping hand and worked
diligently to raise awareness and funds to support clinics and schools. If you were in Mona's
sphere of influence, you undoubtedly contributed as well. She served as treasurer of the St.
Brigid/Sacred Heart Haiti Fund and helped to raise many thousands of dollars.
In 2010, Mona proudly received a Cheverus Award medal from the Archdiocese of
Boston in recognition for her service to the "Church and God's people." She felt delighted and
deeply blessed.
Mona played piano and sang with a glorious soprano voice. She was a choir member at
St. Brigid Church in Lexington, and soloed at many family weddings. If she and her cousins
found themselves in the same room as a piano, a night of singing and laughter was sure to
follow. She sang to calm her kids and herself; and she sang with joy. She made up her songs
about her kids, and taught them some favorites like, "Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree," to
while away the hours spent traveling by car.
Mona was a devoted Red Sox fan long before they finally won the World Series in 2004.
She grew up listening to and watching games with her father, who notably took her to see
Jackie Robinson play at Ebbets Field in New York. Red Sox season was a sacred time, and
calling Mona during a game was an uncertain affair; you'd find her conversation either
preoccupied or interrupted with hoots and hollers. Oh, how she loved the Sox!
Mona and Jack were enthusiastic travelers. She began her married life in Libya where
Jack was helping to establish a 50 kilowatt radio station and a central telephone exchange in
Tripoli. Making a home in a place with unfamiliar cultural norms was both eventful and
educational. Libya was just the beginning of her travels. In 1972, the Learys drove to California
and back with their kids, in a station wagon, pulling a camper. They visited historical and cultural
sights, and sought out a swimming hole at the day's end. Every summer was a chance to see
and explore a new place. After their kids were grown, they traveled to their ancestral homelands
of Italy, France, Ireland, Germany, and to many more places.
When Mona and Jack were both retired, they turned their home into the Desiderata Bed
and Breakfast. For 20 years they welcomed travelers from all over the world. Mona loved trading
adventure stories and helping visitors explore the riches that New England offers. Every guest
was an instant family member and they had many repeat lodgers.
Mona was a fierce and devoted parent and matriarch. As a nurse she worked third shift,
but was always there to send her kids off to school or drive them on a field trip. She tackled
mountains of laundry which she always hung out to dry. She cooked every meal to feed her
army of children; she taught her kids fractions as they doubled most recipes. From her, the
Leary children learned the value of money, hard work, responsibility, and the importance of
service. Her children were not only responsible for home chores, but for helping neighbors as
well. They were rakers, shovelers, and babysitters who were instructed to save their money for
education. She kept her kids organized and entertained, exposing them to sports, music, and
travel. She never forgot the birthday of any child, grandchild, niece or nephew, aunt or uncle,
brother, cousin or friend. She NEVER missed a family gathering.
Mona will be missed immensely by her family and friends.
A viewing will be held at Douglass Funeral Home 51 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA on
Friday, February 11 from 4:00-7:00pm. A mass will take place at Saint Brigid Church, 1981
Massachusetts Avenue on Saturday, February 12 at 10:00am and a burial at Westview
Cemetery, 520 Bedford Street, Lexington. Following all the services, a luncheon will be served
at 12:00 noon at the Cafe Escadrille, 26 Cambridge Street, Burlington (masks required at all
venues).
Donations in Mona's name can be made to the Saint Brigid/Sacred Heart Haiti Fund at
2001 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421