Obituary of Maura Cesarini

Maura Cesarini of Duxbury passed away on the 5th of January after a 10 year battle with cancer. She died peacefully surrounded by her husband and siblings. Maura was the daughter of Irish immigrants, Humphrey Moynihan from Gneeveguila, County Kerry, Ireland and Maura Derwin from Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. She leaves behind her husband Michael, daughters Michaella and Bella, sisters Mary Conneely (Galway, Ireland) and Sharon Moynihan (Duxbury), brother Frank Moynihan (Randolph), nephew Rory Conneely (Galway, Ireland), niece Jade Moynihan (Randolph) brother-in-law Kevin Conneely (Galway, Ireland) sister-in-law Judy Woods (Randolph), mother-in-law Nancy Cesarini (Brockton) and father-in-law Joseph Cesarini (Brockton). Although only 43 at the time of her death, Maura accomplished a great deal in her life. Maura was a graduate of Emerson College where she received both a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communications. Maura worked for a time in the telecommunications field both here in Massachusetts and in London, England where she lived for 2 years. In 1995, Maura decided to change careers and went to the police academy. It was here that she met her future husband Brockton Police Detective Michael Cesarini. Maura graduated from the police academy in 1996. She became a police officer with the Town of Braintree and was later promoted to detective. On December 26, 1998, Maura married Michael. They had two daughters Michaella and Bella. Shortly after Bella’s birth, Maura was diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer, called G.I.S.T. This diagnosis made Maura and her family determined to appreciate every moment of life and to live their lives to the fullest. Maura loved spending time with her family. She was very close to her sisters Sharon Moynihan and Mary Conneely and her brother Frank Moynihan. It was very important to her that her family remain close. Despite her cancer diagnosis, Maura and her family travelled to many places including, Ireland, France, Canada, the Caribbean and numerous National Parks. Maura was very compassionate and empathetic. She belonged to several on-line support groups for people battling GIST offering guidance and encouraging words to other patients. She also set up a support group in Duxbury for other women battling cancer. Through her active participation in these groups, Maura made friends all over the world. Maura was dedicated to trying to find a cure for this disease and did extensive fundraising for research with her husband Michael. Maura’s determination to beat this disease was recognized by the Sarcoma Foundation of America whom presented her with a Courage Award at a ceremony in New York City in April 2012. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, January 9th from 4-8:00 PM at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main St (Rt. 106) Kingston. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 10th at Holy Family Church in Duxbury at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at the Mayflower cemetery in Duxbury. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cesarini G.I.S.T. Research Fund at The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 and/or Cesarini Education Fund at Michael J. Cesarini, FBO The Cesarini Children, Acct XX0739 c/o Eastern Bank, PO Box 1716, Duxbury, MA 02331.