Barbara Macauley Reilly

Barbara Macauley Reilly passed away on December 7, 2025 having celebrated her 100th birthday on Easter Sunday 2025. Barbara was born in London on April 20, 1925 to Constantine (of Belfast, Northern Ireland) and Kathleen Meade Macauley (of Dublin), whose father, Joseph Michael Meade, was Lord Mayor of Dublin. She had 2 older siblings, Desmond (ordained John) and Patricia and 2 younger siblings, Ada and John (ordained Charles).

Barbara attended Mayfield School in East Sussex and was graduated from University of London with a bachelor of science degree in physiology. She initially worked in pharmacology in England and then obtained an advanced certificate in Occupational Therapy (OT) from Columbia University in New York where she also served as an instructor in OT for three years. She met her husband James Reilly while skiing in Vermont and they were married at Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire, England on July 30, 1966 where both of her brothers were Benedictine monks.

She worked for many years as an occupational therapist in Manhattan and surrounding suburbs in Westchester County and Connecticut, with a focus on children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Barbara also was a faith filled woman who was a devoted wife and mother, and voracious reader. She also loved to travel and saw herself as a citizen of the world. She was extremely generous donating to over 100 organizations annually.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Andrea of Newton, MA (married to Tom Gaziano), two grandsons Dominic James and Thomas Gaziano, and eight nieces and nephews: Elizabeth Reilly Hays, Desmond Reilly, Gene Reilly, Nancy Reilly Matthews, Ann Reilly Guliner, Kelly McCall, Tara O'Donnell, and Katie Volat.

Visitation will be Friday, December 12, 2025 9:30 to 10:30am at Sacred Heart Church, 1321 Centre St., Newton, MA 02459 followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30am. Burial will follow immediately at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Partners In Health: https://www.pih.org/