Massachusetts sisters mourn with nation during tribute for 400,000 lives lost

BOSTON — On the night before his inauguration, Joe Biden led a somber national tribute for the 400,000 Americans killed by the coronavirus over the last year.

More than a dozen sites across Boston illuminated on Tuesday night in solidarity with cities across the country.

Church bells across the Boston area also rang to memorialize the hundreds of thousands of lives lost nationwide.

Twin sisters Caitlin and Johanna Morrissey stood in silence outside the Old South Church in Copley Square in honor of their older sister and all of the others impacted by the deadly virus.

“There’s not a day that I don’t think about her and miss her,” said Caitlin Morrissey. “It’s unimaginable.”

Their 51-year-old sister, Donna Morrissey, died of COVID-19 in May.

Massachusetts sisters mourn with nation during tribute for 400,000 lives lost

She served as the director of national partnerships for the Red Cross until her death and was well known across Boston for her charitable work.

“When I heard those bells, I thought of Donna’s faith and said a prayer,” said Johanna Morrissey. “Our hearts go out to all the families going through this. You don’t want this virus to impact your life or your family’s life.”

Donna used Facebook to warn others to take the virus seriously as her health rapidly deteriorated in the hospital.

Her sisters are hopeful that widespread vaccination over the next year will help prevent the suffering and the solitude endured by those who die from COVID-19.

“Not being able to be with your sister when she’s dying, that’s the hardest,” added Johanna. “People are dying, and the hardest part is, they’re alone. "

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