Margaret Rosella Looney

Margaret Rosella Looney, a former long-time Andover resident, most recently of Norwalk, CT, and Mercer Island, WA, died at 86 years old. She was born in Medford, MA, to Timothy and Margaret Feeny, and after their death in the Cocoanut Grove Fire, was raised by relatives. She graduated from Medford High and the former Lawrence Memorial School of Nursing. Rosella married, had three children, and lived in Andover for over 40 years. She was a long-time RN who worked at various facilities in the Merrimack Valley, most notably at the Prescott House Nursing Home.

Rosella loved to garden, cheated at monopoly and wallpapered to relax. She made delicious homemade bread, beef stew, soup, cod fish cakes, blueberry buckle and pies. Even her rainy-day popcorn was special. As a nurse, Rosella's warm energy and big heart made her patients feel heard and safe. As a grandmother, Rosella loved watching her grandchildren navigate their young lives while cheering them on along the way. As our Mum, she tucked us in as little ones and later on gently bounced our babies to sleep. Mum was always there for us.

Rosella was a bargain hunter, stretched a dollar to the max and made Christmases magical. Thanksgiving was big and loud in the house...music playin', food cookin', doors slammin' and way too many people in the kitchen. Rosella loved every minute of it.

She was a lover of all animals and never passed a horse without telling her she was a beauty. Every dog was worth a kiss on the top of its head and her kitties were angels. Coincidentally, Astro, her favorite cat, passed away on the same day as Rosella.

Rosella loved to travel and keep up with political news. Towards the end of Rosella's life, she traveled with her oldest daughter and met many new friends. At almost 80 years of age, she sailed open seas on her son-in-law's fishing boat and on a whim once decided to go horseback riding in the hills of California. Rosella's dive into the water of Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire was nearly flawless - a perfect score of 10 no doubt. She loved swimming with all her grandchildren.

Rosella thought the world of her brother Tom and twin sisters Mary and Martha. She shared big laughs with her cousin Eleanor Hurley and sister-in-law Patricia MacFaden. Rosella's compassion and willingness to help others are who she was.

Rosella leaves her children and their spouses: Rosella and John Loendorf of Norwalk, CT, Jennifer and Tim Hart of Palos Verdes, CA and Bryan and Lottie Looney of Arvada, CO. She also leaves her sister, Mary Magner, and her sister-in-law, Judy Feeny. Her sister, Martha Keegan, brother, Tom Feeny, and brothers-in-law Hank Magner, Jack Keegan and Bruce MacFaden, her sister-in-law Patricia MacFaden, cousin Eleanor Hurley, and former husband, Lawrence Looney, predeceased her. She leaves her adored grandchildren, Mary-Kate (Justin), Kevin (Maddie), Sarah, Shaela, Molly, Grace, and Owen, as well as many members of her extended family.

The family would like to thank Mary and Kemi, for their loving and compassionate care of Rosella.

If desired, please feel free to donate to sheshouldrun.org. Rosella always believed the world would be a better place if more women held positions of power.