Obituary of Ellen M. Leary

Ellen M. (Foley) Leary, formerly of Brockton, passed away after a lengthy illness on Thursday morning, October 3. 2024. She was 75 years of age. Born and raised in Brockton, she was the daughter of the late John J. Foley, and the late Florence (Roderick) Foley; and she was the loving wife of the late Thomas J. Leary who passed away in 2010. Ellen was a graduate of Brockton schools. She worked as a nurse’s aide and later, a medical records clerk, at the Brockton V.A. Hospital for 35 years, retiring in 2005. Ellen had a passion for animals, and offered her home to foster animals in need. Ellen was a car enthusiast and collector of Mustangs since her teenage years. She and her late husband Thomas attended many car shows with her classic Ford Mustangs and won several ribbons. Her love of horse racing and horses, brought her to many famous race tracks including the Belmont Stakes willing on a Triple Crown bid, yearly trips to Saratoga Springs, Gulfstream Park when visiting her granddaughter, and the last weekend of racing at Suffolk Downs. After experiencing a catastrophic house fire at her family home in 2005; Ellen and her late husband came to live with her daughter in Woburn for a short time before returning to her home town of Brockton. Ellen is survived by her devoted daughter, Ellen M. Callahan-Dube of Gorham, Maine and her wife, Lauren Dube; and two grandchildren, Sarah Callahan of Miami, Florida and Joshua Callahan of Gorham, Maine. She is also survived by her two brothers, Mark D. Foley of Brockton, and Matthew J. Foley of Falls Church, Virginia. Graveside services will be held at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Stoughton on a date to be announced in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ellen’s memory may be made to APCSM, 1300 West Elm St. Ext., Brockton, MA 02301 (apcsm.org/give); or the Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., Kanab, UT 84741 (bestfriends.org) Arrangements by the Graham Funeral Home, Woburn.