The death has occurred peacefully of Gretta Morris née McDonnell, North Quincy, USA and formerly of Burrin, Ballyglass, Claremorris, and Deereenmanus, Castlebar, Co. Mayo on October 30, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at her favourite 
place – “her lovely house”.
She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Mary McDonnell, her brother, Michael Joe McDonnell, her nephew, Michael McClintock and her beloved granddaughter, Finn McCabe.
Gretta is survived by her heartbroken children, Dylan and his partner Alyson, Aengus, and his wife Mary Ellen, Nollaig and her husband Keith, and Aoife and her husband Justin. She also leaves her much loved grandchildren, Gavin, Kian, Eily, Faela, Avery and Rhys. She is survived by her siblings, Patrick, John, Brendan, Geraldine Breege, Liam and Kevin and their families. All of whom will carry their amazing mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt in their hearts forever.
Born and raised in Burrin, Ballyglass, Claremorris , County Mayo, Ireland, Gretta was the second of nine children. She worked as a pediatric nurse in Dublin until she moved back to County Mayo to raise a family. She worked for many years as a telephone company operator where she made many lifelong friends.
In 1989 Gretta moved her family to Boston; she always said it was one of the best decisions she ever made. She returned to nursing, earning degrees at Labouré College and Emmanuel College. She was devoted to all her nursing roles including proudly serving as a SANE nurse for over 20 years and as a CPR instructor. She was extremely proud of her 27 years in the Emergency Department at Boston Medical Center, where she truly loved her job, creating lasting bonds with her patients and the extended family that she created there. She also imparted her love of her chosen vocation to countless nursing students as an Adjunct Professor at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University and Labouré College of Healthcare.
Gretta loved to travel far and wide. Between frequent trips to see family in Ireland, Canada, and Norway she visited China, Alaska, Iceland, France, Spain, the Caribbean, and much of the US. While enjoying all her travels, her truly favorite place to hang out was the beach, especially Florida and Cape Cod.
Gretta was passionate about health and fitness. She was an avid runner and was a longstanding member of the L Street Running Club in South Boston. She ran road races and marathons all over. In the years that she was not running in her favourite, the Boston Marathon, she could be found volunteering in the finish line medical tent. In recent years she took up hiking, climbing mountains throughout New England, as well as the El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam Dhilis.
May she rest in peace.
Visiting hours at The Cushing Memorial Hall, 673 Main St, Norwell, MA took place on Thursday, November 9th, 2023 from 4:00PM – 8:00PM with a memorial service at 4:30PM. Gretta's funeral and the funeral of her beloved granddaughter Finn McCabe (who died on 15th January 2021) will arrive at St. Mary's Church Carnacon on Friday, 24th November, at 11.30am for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Afterwards Gretta and Finn will laid to rest in Burriscarra Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gretta’s honour to the foundation in memory of her granddaughter, Finn, which was very important to Gretta: The Finn McCabe Foundation www.finnmccabefoundation.org or via mail to: c/o North Shore Bank, 412 Lynn Fells Parkway, Saugus, MA 01906 or c/o Kilcoyne's Funeral Home, Castlebar.
If you wish to leave a message of condolence for the family you can write to the family c/o Kilcoyne Funeral Directors, Thomas Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
All enquiries to Kilcoyne’s Funeral Home, Thomas Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland 00353872648869