Elizabeth Marie McLean of Somerville MA passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on March 22, 2025. Elizabeth reached the age of 102 years young. She was part of the "Greatest generation!" The many inventions and changes seen in those years is mind-boggling. She once had a hard time choosing the most important invention witnessed in her lifetime, but did finally answer that the mass distribution of the radio was most significant. No wonder, as a young girl into her adulthood she could listen to her favorite tunes from people like Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Guy Lombardo, Nat King Cole and many more while still listening to tunes from the old country, Ireland.

Elizabeth was a lifelong resident of Somerville where she was born at home on December 27,1922. She attended St. Theresa's Grammar School and graduated Somerville High School class of 1940.

Elizabeth was the daughter of James Horan and Margaret (McMahon) Horan. She is predeceased by her loving husband Warren C. McLean, her daughter Maryann Riel and grandchildren Warren C. McLean III and Sara M. Griffiths. She is survived by her son Warren C. McLean Jr. and wife Alison, her daughters Janet Frasier, Jean McCarthy and husband Christopher, Patricia Griffiths and husband William, Maureen Megnia, and Gail Riccardi and husband Antonio.

In addition to being the mother of 7 children, Elizabeth is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren whom she deeply loved and many nieces and nephews. Elizabeth will be missed immensely by family and friends as well as anyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Her legacy of kindness, creativity and devotion to family, Irish heritage, God and country will continue to inspire those who loved her.

Elizabeth was very intelligent, witty, funny, curious, inquisitive, and had a great sense of humor. She always wanted to know what was going on. She would read the newspaper or watch a news channel on television to satisfy her need to know. While raising 7 children she kept a dictionary on the kitchen counter to learn a new word every day. She could discuss current events with anybody. She loved the "old movie" channel on television and enjoyed travelling the world with Rick Steves. She was so intrigued by new technology, she adeptly was able to learn and use her own iPhone, laptop computer and an Amazon Kindle. She loved to scan the pages of her Facebook family and friends.

Although she was not a football fan, once Tom Brady hit the field, she became a "Brady Lady." She loved Tom!

She was welcoming and kind to everyone that came to her home. She never turned visitors away and there were many visits. She had a constant revolving door for family and friends alike. She would try to feed everybody that entered her home. She always left the "light" on for guests.

For many years Elizabeth ate only foods she thought were good for her. Based on her age, she was right! She also loved to walk long distances. She would leave her home in Somerville near Porter Square and walk to Harvard Square and back. Walking with Elizabeth wasn't easy, she had a very fast pace, it was very tough to keep up with her. She also loved trying new restaurants. There were very few occasions that she would turn down an offer to go out to dinner.

Being a member of the Greatest Generation, Elizabeth went to work during World War II at the Charlestown Naval Yard in and around ship building. After the war, Warren returned from the Navy and Elizabeth married the love of her life. They celebrated 50 years of marriage until he passed. She later became a home health aid worker. Even though she got her driver's license at age 50, she would take a bus or walk from her home to a senior center on Highland Ave., Somerville. There she would care for the elderly. She also took Yoga classes at the YMCA. She enjoyed painting with oil and watercolors for a time and became known as the 2nd Grandma Moses.

The greatest joy of her life was time spent with her large and growing family. She loved and adored each one of us. Right behind her family, Elizabeth's second priority was her hair. Who can't remember Rosa? If you knew Elizabeth you would know, "don't touch the mahogany!"

Elizabeth was always a devoted Catholic. She attended church services often and when she had trouble getting out of the house, she would watch Sunday mass on the television. While in her late 80's and 90's, she volunteered at St. John's Church where she would count Sunday's collection money. The priests were thrilled to see Elizabeth helping.

A private service for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be held at Doherty Funeral Home, Somerville on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Family and friends are invited to a Mass with Elizabeth at St. John the Evangelist Church in North Cambridge MA at 11:00 am. Please meet directly at church.

A Private burial service will be held at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett MA where she will be interred with her husband and her daughter Maryann.

A celebration of life for Elizabeth will be announced at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elizabeth's name to Warren C. McLean, III Fund at The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, Inc. P.O. Box 321, Wakefield, MA 01880.

The McLean family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care and support provided by Beth Israel Lahey Hospice during her final time with us. There are many to thank but special thanks go out to Elizabeth's hospice nurse Erin, and her home health aides, Jaria and Jane. With help and support, Elizabeth was very comfortable due to their care and attention to detail they provided to her. We will be forever grateful. Donations to Beth Israel Lahey Hospice may be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, 330 Brookline Avenue (OV), Boston, MA 02215. Please enter "Beth Israel Lahey Hospice" in the memo section of the check.