Mary Anne (McGonagle) Moynihan passed away at her home in Melrose, on December 31, 2025. She was 81 years of age.

Mary Anne was born in Cambridge, MA on March 23, 1944, to the late Micheal V. & Margaret A. (Brogan) McGonagle. Raised in Somerville, MA, she attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Union Sq, where, in kindergarten she formed friendships with a small group of other students that remained throughout their lives. This group later became affectionately known as “Club.”

Mary Anne met her husband, the late Timothy C. at an Irish dance in Boston, they were married on May 20, 1967. Mary Anne & Timmy settled in Melrose in 1971 where they raised their 4 children.

As her children grew older Mary embarked on a mission to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning an Irish bakery. She set out about this by attending night classes at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. After graduating, she began working at Quebrada Baking Co., in Arlington, MA, where she honed her skills. Then in 1989 her dream came to fruition when she became the proud founder of Breads ‘n Bits of Ireland in Downtown Melrose. An immediate success, both with Melrosians and the Greater Boston Irish community, it successfully operated in the same location for 23 years.

Mary Anne was an adoring wife, mother, and grandmother who loved to spend time with her family. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland, which included many years with multiple trips. Amongst her other favorites were Europe, cruising, the Cape, Nantucket and pretty much anywhere there was sun and a beach or a pool.

They were members of the North Shore Irish American Club and the Donegal Club, where she held many leadership positions throughout the years, including President.

Mary Anne was the beloved wife of 46 years to Timothy Moynihan, prior to his passing in 2014. Devoted mother Wayne Moynihan & his wife Samantha of Ohio, Sheri Leblond & her husband Mark of NH, Laura Moynihan & her fiancée Michael Haynes of Braintree and Patrick Moynihan of FL. Proud grandmother of Zachary, Abbey, Isabella, Timothy, and Sofia. Loving sister of Margaret Cowles & her husband Robert, Loretta McGonagle both of Somerville, Eileen Volpe & her late husband Peter of Braintree, Michael McGonagle of S. Boston and the late Jane Terranova. Also survived by several brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends

Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 12:00PM-4:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, at St. Mary's Church, 4 Herbert St. Melrose at 10AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment to follow at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose.