Meghan Ann Hesketh

It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Meghan Ann Hesketh, age 30, after a courageous three-and-a-half-year battle with breast cancer. Meghan (Meg) passed peacefully at home on November 9, 2025, with her loving parents, Ann Marie (McCarthy) and Paul J Hesketh, MD, by her side.

Meg was born at Newton Wellesley Hospital on July 26, 1995, and was raised in Westwood, MA. More recently, she lived in South Boston with her beloved dogs, Murphy and Rex, and summered in Chatham. She relished her walks on the beach (both South Boston and Chatham, her favorite places) with her pups.

Meg was an accomplished student, athlete, and healthcare provider. She excelled academically and athletically in high school at Ursuline Academy in Dedham. She then pursued her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She stayed at Sacred Heart to complete her post-graduate degree, graduating with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Meg was passionate about helping people and used her education and training to improve the lives of others. Professionally, she was an accomplished and beloved physical therapist. She loved this field because it was the intersection of two of her favorite things, sports and helping others. She was a gifted and determined athlete who, even during cancer treatment, completed the 162-mile Pan Mass Challenge twice.

Meg was a truly wonderful person whose love and kindness touched every soul she encountered, and a warmth that turned acquaintances into lifelong friends wherever she went. Meg and her dearest friends solidified their deep bond with a mantra of “the best ships are friendships, and may that always be,” and it certainly will. Meg attended endless concerts and sporting events with her close friends, always with joy and contagious enthusiasm. She loved to travel the world with her cousins, often using a Taylor Swift or Jonas Brothers concert as an excuse to be with the people she most cared about. She was a doting “Auntie Meg” who religiously attended hockey games and dance recitals. She never let her diagnosis define her but used it as fuel to live her life to the absolute fullest. Just 3 months before her passing, Meg fulfilled her lifelong dream of visiting Montana to celebrate her 30th birthday. With her family and close friends along for the journey, Meg visited Yellowstone National Park, went whitewater rafting, attended a rodeo, and rode a horse through the Montana mountains. She was determined to make that trip and, despite her diagnosis and disease progression, she realized her dream. To know Meg, was to love her.

Meghan is survived by her loving parents, Ann Marie and Paul J Hesketh, MD of Westwood; her brother, Matthew, and his wife, Kara, of Abington; her beloved niece and nephew, Abigail and Michael; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at St. Denis Catholic Church, 157 Washington Street, Westwood, MA, on Friday, November 14 from 4-8pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, November 15, at St. Denis Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the New Westwood Cemetery at 877 High Street, Westwood.

In lieu of flowers, Meg’s family is requesting donations be made to the “Meghan Ann Hesketh Memorial Scholarship” at Sacred Heart University. SHU held a special place in Meg’s heart, and this scholarship will allow for that love to be shared with others in perpetuity. Gifts by check can be made to: Sacred Heart University, Attn: University Advancement, 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06825. Online gifts can be made here by adding “The Meghan Ann Hesketh Memorial Scholarship” to the comments box:

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Meg’s family would like to offer their sincere thanks to the team of caregivers at Dana Farber Cancer Institute for their compassion, kindness, and skilled care that were provided to Meg over the last 3 years.