Cecelia T. Foley

December 5, 1941 - February 19, 2020

Cecelia T (Hanlon) Foley, 78, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 19, 2020 at Greenbriar Rehab Center. She was born December 5, 1941 in Boston, MA, the daughter of John J. Hanlon and Evelyn R. Gibbons Hanlon. In addition to her parents, Cecelia was predeceased by her husband Thomas S. Foley Sr. and siblings, John J. Hanlon and Mary D. Hanlon Galgay Neptune, as well as Teresa Hanlon. Her father instilled in her a love of music and poetry, which translated into a lifelong appreciation for the arts. From her mother she learned how to be a caring neighbor and friend, a skill which Cecelia used to turn strangers into family. Cecelia graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic High School in Roxbury, MA. She married Thomas S. Foley, Sr. on February 3, 1962. “Cissy” was raised on Mission Hill in Boston, MA, where she met the love of her life, Thomas Foley at the age of 14. Some of her most favorite and entertaining memories came from raising her young family only a few houses down from both her sister’s and brother’s families. Tom and Cissy spent their latter years between Nashua, NH and Port Charlotte, FL, where they spent many loving years spoiling their grandchildren and enjoying time with their family and friends. Even Hurricane Charlie, which destroyed their home and and belongings, could not take away the Foley’s sense of humor and positive outlook. Cissy was lovingly called Nana by her grandchildren, great grandchild, and many others whom she met. She never lost her joy or her creative energy. Her life was spent being a source of friendship, comfort, love, and laughter to everyone around her. Each interaction was marked by her genuine, loving personality and deliberate attempt to learn about and embrace each person who entered her life. She will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of meeting her. She was survived by her children--Catherine M. Avery and her husband Richard, Thomas S. Foley, Jr. and his wife Michelle, John J. Foley and his wife Deborah, and Cynthia A. Foley Gaudette; her grandchildren--Samantha Avery, Nicole Foley, Cassandra Avery, Victoria Avery, Brendan Foley, Iain Foley, Scott Avery, Aidan Foley, and Ava Gaudette; as well as her great-grandson, Thomas Avery. Also her nephews and nieces, Marc Galgay, Eric Galgay, Michelle Galgay, Brigid Neptune, Margaret Hanlon, Jennifer Hanlon, Sean Hanlon, and Colin Hanlon. Visiting Hours will be held on February 26th from 4-6:45pm at the DUMONT-SULLIVAN FUNERAL HOME, 50 FERRY ST., HUDSON. I brief prayer service will be held in the funeral home from 6:45pm-7pm to close out the evening. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated the following morning beginning at 10am in Immaculate Conception Church, 216 E. Dunstable Rd., Nashua, NH. Burial will take place at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua New Hampshire, 1 Positive Place Nashua, NH 03060. To leave an online message of condolence or to get more information, please visit www.dumontsullivan.com the DUMONT-SULLIVAN FUNERAL HOME in Hudson is in charge of arrangements.