Maria Walsh

     Maria Christine Walsh, beloved wife, mother, attorney, and friend to many, died Thursday, February 27th, 2025 surrounded by family. Maria was born in Medford, MA on December 7th, 1952 to Jake and Elinor Walsh, and raised in Westwood, MA. 

     Maria attended Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill followed by Vassar and MIT to study Urban Planning. She then continued to NYU Law as a Root-Tilden scholar. Maria devoted her professional life to helping others specifically in employment law, as a non-profit volunteer, administrative judge, litigator, mediator, arbitrator, and corporate executive. Maria was Vice President of Plymouth Rock Assurance Corp., Boston, MA (1993-1999) and Chairman and Commissioner of Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission, Boston, MA (1983-1993). Since 2000, Maria worked as a mediator settling numerous employment-related disputes at JAMS (formerly known as Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services), and as Special Master, Asbestos Litigation in the Massachusetts Superior Court. Maria’s work was rooted in her commitment to equity and advocacy and strengthened by her patience and wisdom. 

     Maria was a lifelong scholar and an insatiable learner. When she wasn’t cherishing time with her family or immersed in her work, she was exploring the world–traveling to Egypt, Morocco, Italy, England, and beyond. Maria was a voracious reader whose bookshelves were lined with the works of countless writers, including Ann Patchett, Louise Penny, Mary Oliver, and William Butler Yeats. Maria also had a gift for storytelling and could captivate any room with her words. She could fix anything and was the go-to person for her family’s legal questions or home renovation dilemmas. Maria loved sports and excelled in many types, especially horseback riding and lacrosse. Her love of the outdoors was only rivaled by her love of chocolate chip ice cream from Brighams and Bubbling Brook. Whether visiting museums, hiking with her dogs and loved ones, or gazing up at the night sky, Maria embraced life with boundless curiosity. 

     Maria’s resilience was unmatched. After defeating pancreatic cancer the first time in 2016, she joined the Wellness Warriors Dragon Boat team. Fiercely determined, once Maria set her mind to something, nothing could stand in her way. 

     Maria lived in many cities including New York, Washington, DC, and Cincinnati before finally settling down in Newton, Massachusetts. Maria enjoyed spending free time in Cape Cod and the Berkshires. Her love of water and travel brought her to Tortola where she met her soulmate and wife of 34 years, Deb, on a sailing trip. Maria and Deb embarked on many adventures, most importantly to China to adopt their two daughters, Dian Dian and Elizabeth. Maria and Deb raised Dian Dian and Elizabeth in Newton and instilled their love of ice cream, music, and the ocean in their girls. More importantly though, Maria and Deb instilled in their daughters the values that defined their life–empathy, kindness, humor, and the belief that family is not something you are born into, but something that you choose and nurture. Together Maria and her family created cherished memories at Cape Cod, Quisisana Resort in Maine, and the Berkshires. 

     She is survived by her wife Deb, daughters Dian Dian and Elizabeth, and her extended family, Joel, Daphne, Sam, and Quinn. There will be a memorial on Thursday, March 6th at 11:30 am at The First Parish in Milton (535 Canton Ave, Milton, MA 02186). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

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