Funeral Fund for Mary Teresa McTaggart

My cousin, Mary Teresa McTaggart, had an infectious laugh and a kind heart. Our family referred to her by her middle name.

Aged sixty-three, Teresa stood five foot-two and weighed under one-hundred pounds. Teresa held a child-like wonder and rose-colored view of the world. She was upbeat, grateful and always happy in all my interactions with her. She was a lifelong resident of Malden, Massachusetts and first-generation Irish American. Her father, Jimmy, was a native of County Donegal and her mother, Peggy, was a native of County Galway. Both are deceased.

Teresa and her three siblings have lived difficult yet resilient lives. She and her twin sister were born with developmental disabilities. Teresa also suffered from physical ailments. One of her brothers has lived in a nursing home for most of his life. Several years ago, cancer and the radiation treatment that followed left the other unable to walk.

Because of the challenging circumstances of her life, those of her siblings, and the age of my father and aunt who helped Teresa in the past, for the last couple of years, I have tried my best to assist her in any way I can.

I spent a lot of time with Teresa, and we became closer as I attempted to get her home care and into elderly housing. On several occasions I met with her and a social worker at her apartment. I distinctly remember the day I took her to Target to purchase a new flip phone. She clung tightly to my arm as we walked through the store. She expressed a trust and love for me as her advocate which touched my heart then and even more as I write this now in the aftermath of her death. It allows me a small glimmer of joy amongst my tears.

Her meager income was almost entirely spent on her rent and utilities. She was on a long waiting list for public housing but through continued effort, phone calls and emails, she had recently received a letter that an apartment would become available soon. Unfortunately, fate intervened before that could occur.

Even though she did not travel very fast on foot, Teresa was still self-sufficient and would either take the bus or walk with her shopping pushcart to Stop and Shop, Walgreens or CVS.

On the early afternoon of Thursday, October 19th, she was returning home from Stop and Shop with her small number of groceries when she was struck by a motor vehicle while walking on the sidewalk at the corner of Mountain Avenue and Main Street. Many jumped to the conclusion that she had just visited the food pantry at the YMCA because of her shopping cart and the proximity to the pantry - but that was not the case.

I’ve worked in tv news for many years. Thursday, I edited the raw video and soundbites from witnesses of the terrible scene, unaware my beloved cousin had been the person killed. Friday afternoon when I was informed that Teresa was the victim of the tragedy, I was in shock. I spoke to Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, Chief of Police Glenn Cronin and Detective Lieutenant Michael Powell.

I am grateful to them and to all the responding officers and emergency personnel. I also appreciate the sympathy offered by all who witnessed the horrible scene and its aftermath. It is not easy to see such a thing. I can’t imagine and am grateful I did not. I’ve been told the suddenness of the crash most likely killed Teresa instantly and the family finds some solace in the hope that her suffering was minimal.

However, there was severe trauma to her torso and head which made definitive identification difficult for the Medical Examiner. Teresa was not carrying an ID at the time. Diligent police work allowed the authorities to identify her and then notify the family. As for the individual responsible for the accident, all I can say is that Teresa held no malice in her heart and in her honor, neither do I.

Typing all of this makes me very sad.

Our family loved Teresa and we miss her very much. We mourn our loved one but celebrate her for the lovely, sweet woman she was! My hope was that Teresa would be happy in a new home and I could hear her laughter for many years to come - but on Thursday that hope vanished.

Who could foresee such an unexpected danger would propel itself directly toward her at a deadly speed during the mundane act of walking home after grocery shopping?

I ask her fellow people of Malden and anyone else who read or saw this accident on the news or social media to please help allay her funeral costs. I will use these funds directly to pay the for these expenses on my family’s behalf. We very much appreciate any contribution you can donate toward her burial.

Sincere thanks to you from all of us and from Teresa!

Michael Cloherty