Megan Walsh

Megan Walsh, of Marblehead, formerly of Andover, passed away on 12/19/2020, after a lifetime battle with kidney disease and complications from pancreatitis, with her loving parents by her side. Megan grew up in Andover and graduated from Andover High School, Class of 1997.

Megan had four kidney transplants and many other surgeries at Boston Children's Hospital where she met and made lifelong friends especially in the dialysis unit where she had been the last 10 years. Her nurses there were her second family and she loved each one dearly.

When she moved to Marblehead she got involved with the Penny Bear a nonprofit, and joined Anchor to Windward an adult with special needs group. There she met her forever friends. Her favorite times when she was feeling well were the family vacations to Ireland, Hawaii, Walt Disney World and Prince Edward Island. She loved her times spent with the Mount Auburn Girls and their families especially Turkorama and the trip to NYC. She spent summers on the Cape where she met the Mark sisters, forming a 40 year friendship. Megan loved to tell stories, and enjoyed just sitting on the porch visiting with family, ATW friends and book club meetings with her friend Courtney. If you had a dog you became instant best friends. She was a courageous young woman who fought so many health battles with her own personal dedication, desire and determination to get better and inspired all those she met. She will surely be missed.

We want to thank all the people, Doctors, and Nurses we met along this journey, especially the Renal Doctors and Dialysis Nurses at Boston Children's Hospital. We also thank the Child life Specialists, the Clowns and the virtual pet visits that helped her treatments go easier.

Megan was the beloved daughter of Ro and Judy Walsh of Marblehead.

She was predeceased by her loving grandparents, Gram and Pa Leman and Bubba and Grampy Walsh. Megan was the dear niece of Brenda and Michael McCarthy of Burlington, Paul and Peggy Walsh of Marblehead, and Janet Walsh of Lowell, the grand-niece of Anne Mullarkey of Ennis, Ireland, the loving cousin of Sean and Monica McCarthy of Reading, Matt and Julie McCarthy of Reading, Sheila Peretti and her son Will of Madrid, Spain, Mackenzie Ferguson of San Diego, California, the amazing auntie to Aarya, Kellan, Lienn and Ciaran McCarthy whom she loved dearly, all her Irish cousins, and many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was also the dearest friend to Eileen, Liz, Paula, Susan, Ted, Mary, Pat, John and their families, dearest friend to Digna, Alice, Brigid and Breegan, most loving friend to Matt Richardson who made her feel very special, and leaves her faithful companion her dog Booma Bay.

Due to the pandemic and Covid restrictions services are private. A celebration of Megan's life will be held at a later date.

Anyone that's interested may make a donation in Megan's name to Boston Children's Hospital Special Renal Fund, Renal Dialysis Program, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02155, or to Anchor to Windward, 74 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, MA 01945.

Remember to become an organ donor. It could save someone's life like Megan's!