Eunice F. Radigan Foley

Eunice F. (Radigan) Foley, 91, beloved wife of the late Robert W. Foley, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 12th at her home, surrounded by her family. Born in Somerville, she is the daughter of the late Philip and Elizabeth (Donnelly) Radigan.
She grew up in Somerville and was a graduate of Somerville High School, class of 1944. She was a feminist and "fearless girl" before it was invented. Her heroine was Amelia Earhart and she dreamed of flying. After high school, she got her pilots license and soloed. From there she went to Northeast Airlines as a flight attendant, and, when an inner-ear infection grounded her, she worked the ticket counter. She didn't care as long as she was around planes.

Eventually, her brother was worried about the hours she was keeping and she reluctantly changed jobs. She went to work at Whiting's Milk in Charlestown. There she met her future husband and they were married in 1952. They moved to Reading in 1954 raised their children.

Vehemently opposed to the Vietnam War, Eunice and her husband became anti-war activists. Against the objections of her brothers and sisters, she went to Washington in 1972 to demonstrate. She was gratified to live long enough to see the first African-American president, but disappointed not to see the first woman president.

In the mid-seventies she got her license to sell insurance -- unusual for a woman at the time. She worked for Wilcox-Hodges in Woburn, then for Prudential. Eventually, she struck out on her own, building her own agency, the Eunice F. Foley Insurance of Reading, running it for many years and supporting her family. Years after she retired, her former clients still called and said they wished she were still their insurance agent.

She was active with the Democratic Town Committee and she was an active member of Saint Agnes Parish of Reading. Her greatest joy came from being with her friends, spending time with her loving family, and avidly rooting for the Red Sox and Patriots.
She is survived by her two children: Robert F. Foley of Reading, Adele Brennan of Reading and two granddaughters: Melissa and Mary Beth Brennan both of Reading. She is predeceased by all of her siblings.

Funeral from the Doherty-Barile Funeral Home, 11 Linden St., Reading, on Tuesday, April 18th at 9am, followed by a funeral mass celebrating Eunice's Eternal Life at Saint Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St., Reading at 10am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with the Family on Monday, April 17th from 4-7pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and ramped entrance available. Interment Charles Lawn Memorial Park, Reading.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Eunice's Memory to Saint Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St., Reading, MA 01867.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome