Maureen E. "O'Malley" Jasper

Maureen Ellen O'Malley Jasper, 85, passed away February 16, 2026.

Maureen was the daughter of the late Martin J. and Kathleen R. (Murphy) O'Malley. Born into a family deeply rooted in athletics and education, she grew up surrounded by coaching, teaching, and a love of sports. Her father was a respected basketball coach and teacher at North High School and Clark University, and her mother, also a teacher, coached field hockey, basketball, and tennis in the City of Worcester. Inspired by this environment, Maureen became an accomplished competitive swimmer in her teenage years, competing successfully at the national level and later working as a lifeguard.

Maureen devoted her professional life to education, building a distinguished career that spanned forty years in the Worcester Public Schools. A graduate of Anna Maria College (1962), she earned a Master of Education from Worcester State College (1979) and completed additional postgraduate coursework at the University of Massachusetts, Middlebury College, and Johns Hopkins University.

She dedicated much of her career to elementary education, serving as a classroom teacher at Winslow Street School, St. Nicholas School, and Belmont Community School. In 1994, Maureen was appointed Assistant Principal of Adams Street School, a role she held until 2003. Even after her retirement, she remained deeply committed to public education, providing administrative support at Canterbury Street School and Chandler Street School and working well into her seventies. A passionate and principled educator, Maureen took great pride in advocating for the children she served and for the communities she supported.

In addition to her work as an educator, Maureen was known for her creative flair and her love of antiques, vintage and designer jewelry, and the Brimfield Flea Market, where she delighted in haggling and in finding a great treasure. She amassed an impressive collection of Bakelite bangles that announced her presence and became her signature. She had an impeccable eye and rarely met a leopard print or a rhinestone she did not love. Sartorially fearless and a lover of couture, she could stride into the Prada store on Fifth Avenue one day and return to Worcester the next, expertly combing the racks at Marshall's or TJ Maxx in pursuit of something fabulous. She did not enter a room quietly. A perfect day for Maureen might include the beach, an afternoon of shopping, dinner at Dino's, and ice cream at Gibby's. Fiercely independent, she lived life entirely on her own terms.

Maureen is survived by her two daughters, Maura and her husband, Mark Perretta, of Troy, New York; and Megan and her husband, Brian Kimmell, of Seattle, Washington; her two brothers, Martin J. O'Malley Jr. and Hugh B. O'Malley; her dearest friend of many years, Lorraine Cordes; and her beloved granddogs, Yogi Bear Claw, Pickles, Foxy Roxy, and Klaus Von Snowball; and her grandcats, Cowboy Frank and Lola.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Abby's House, 52 High St., Worcester, MA 01609.