Jane McDonough, 60, social worker
MELROSE -- Jane Elizabeth (Tiernan) McDonough, of Melrose, a former teacher and social worker, died Nov. 23 at her home after an illness. She was 60.
Mrs. McDonough was born and raised in Everett. She graduated from Matignon High School in Cambridge in 1964. She went on to study at Regis College in Weston, graduating in 1968, and later earned her master's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.
Mrs. McDonough worked as a schoolteacher at Immaculate Conception in Malden for nine years. She then turned to social work, and worked with the elderly at St. Stephen's Towers in Lynn.
She had lived in Melrose since 1975. Mrs. McDonough was a member of St. Mary Church in Melrose. She belonged to the North Shore Irish Association, and was a longtime writer for its newsletter.
In 1964, Mrs. McDonough won an Irish American Association writing contest with her essay, "What John F. Kennedy meant to me."
She was married to Michael J. McDonough for 33 years.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. McDonough leaves five sons, Martin of New York, Michael of Andover, John of Winchester, Patrick of Stoneham, and Matthew of Melrose ; a daughter, Anna Marie of Melrose ; two brothers, William Tiernan of California, and Robert Tiernan of Stoneham ; two sisters, Catherine Galgon of Pennsylvania, and Ann Tiernan of North Carolina, and seven grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was said Nov. 29 in St. Mary Church, Melrose. Burial was at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
Benjamin Johnston, cartoonist; at 59
AMESBURY -- Benjamin Knight Johnston Jr., of Amesbury, a cartoonist and manager of a motorcycle shop in Salisbury, died Nov. 28 at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport. He was 59.
Mr. Johnston was born in Salem. He graduated from Danvers High School, after which he completed two years of vocational schooling for nursing.
Mr. Johnston, known as "Big Ben" by some friends and family, ran Knight Cycle Sales in Salisbury for the past 18 years. He had also worked as a psychiatric nurse at North Shore Medical Center-Salem Hospital and the now-closed Danvers State Hospital. Mr. Johnston also worked as a computer technician for Dynapert in Beverly, a position that enabled him to travel worldwide.
As an accomplished cartoonist, Mr. Johnston's works appeared in a motorcycle magazine, and in local papers, Newburyport News, and Amesbury News.
Mr. Johnston enjoyed entertaining others, and was a pianist and storyteller.
In addition to his wife, Andrea J. (Ouellette), Mr. Johnston leaves three daughters, Lisa M. Jones of Amesbury, Christa J. Swymer of Concord, N.H., and Noelle of Amesbury ; a son, M. Corey Stanwood of Amesbury, and four grandchildren.
A graveside service was held Saturday at St. Joseph Cemetery in Amesbury.
Daniel Connelly Jr., taught in Peabody
NEWBURY -- Daniel William Connelly Jr., of Newbury, a teacher at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School for 25 years, died of cancer Nov. 29 at Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers. He was 73.
He was born and raised in Salem. Mr. Connelly graduated from Salem High School in 1950, and earned a degree from Salem State College.
During the Korean War, Mr. Connelly served with the Navy Reserve.
He taught history and social studies at the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School for 25 years, prior to his retirement 15 years ago.
Mr. Connelly, along with his wife Lorraine, operated the Hearts 'N Flowers florist shop in Peabody for 17 years before giving the reins to a son, David, and daughter-in-law Lyn.
A former resident of Peabody, Mr. Connelly had lived by the ocean on Plum Island for the past 10 years. Family members said he enjoyed walking on the beach and spending time there.
He traveled extensively and enjoyed spending his winters on the Hawaiian island of Maui, as well as visiting his son in California.
He liked to share his musical talents as well.
Mr. Connelly had been a member of the Hochflieger Ski Club in New Hampshire, where he met his wife, Lorraine (Cormier). They were married for 46 years.
He had been a member of the Peabody Lodge of Elks, No. 1409, for several years.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Connelly leaves four sons, David of Peabody, Michael Shawn of Newbury, Daniel III of Los Angeles, and Stephen Jewett of Newbury ; three sisters, Dorothy Little of Salem, and Alice Tracchia and Kathleen, both of Peabody, and two grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was said Monday in St. John Church, Peabody. Burial was at St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem.
