To view the live stream of Mary-Paula's service, please click HERE beginning at 10AM on Monday, January 27, 2025.

Dr. Mary-Paula Walsh. PhD, a true example of charity to the underserved, graced this world with her presence for the better part of 81 years. On January 12th, 2025, she passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, leaving an academic and charitable legacy for future generations. She was born on January 15th, 1944, in Brockton, Massachusetts. Mary-Paula was predeceased by her parents Marie Patricia and James Walsh. Mary-Paula is survived by her sister Margaret Verville of Raymond, New Hampshire, her niece Kathleen LaMont, and great-nephew Kyle LaMont both of Brockton, Massachusetts, her great-niece Kalya McGough of West Wareham, Massachusetts, as well as her lifelong best friend Alice Krolizack and dear cousin Joseph O'Hare both of Maryland. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.

During her childhood years, Mary-Paula attended local Brockton schools. Her first job was at the family business, the "Walsh Ice Cream Stand" located on Oak Street in Brockton, where she learned the gift of gab and lively discussion while scooping ice cream. Mary-Paula went on to establish an academic and applied research career. Her college years were spent at Boston University studying anthropology while she was securing a degree in Religious Studies. Her goal was to become a scholar, and upon graduation, she furthered her education by partaking in the Ph.D. program of Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC, where she was awarded two Masters Degrees and a Ph.D. in Sociology of Religion.

In her early years of academia, Mary-Paula was a professor of Religion at Saint Gregory's College in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and also taught Sociology courses at the Catholic University of America. Mary-Paula was a true scholar, developing a specialization in Feminist and Religious Studies as well as evaluation research. She served as a Professor for Church and Society on the faculty of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for eight years prior to working as a senior research analyst at private consulting firms in the Washington DC area while simultaneously teaching the Scholar program at Montgomery College in Rockville and Germantown Maryland. One highlight of her career was the publication of "Feminism and Christian Tradition" by Greenwood Press in 1999. This book was an extensive overview of feminism in relation to the woman's movement and an annotated biography of the works of several theologians and sociologists using a cross disciplinary approach, presenting themes and issues in both a historical and topical framework. Throughout her life, Mary-Paula pursued various passions, including working with her students on many successful ventures, including preparing them for admission to Montgomery College Scholars Program, teaching college courses on the Holocaust, and teaching Montgomery County High School students in various sociology classes, sponsored by Montgomery College. She also served as president of her homeowner's association for many years, forming deep connections and advancing community growth.

Mary-Paula's entire life was spent advancing the work of various charities and sharing her passion for a greater knowledge to improve the plight of humanity. She was always willing to help others and fight for them when they were unable to do so for themselves. She was known for her great sense of humor, her kind and loving soul, and always was ready to partake in a lively conversation over a round of cribbage.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Russell & Pica Funeral Home in Brockton, Massachusetts on January 27th at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that any donations be made to Montgomery County Maryland Humane Society at 601 South Stonestreet, Ave. in Rockville, Maryland.

Burial will be private at a later date.