Catherine J. (O'Shea) Kelley

KELLEY, Catherine J (O'Shea).- Of Peabody, formerly of Malden, February 17th. Devoted wife for 67 years to the late John F . Beloved mother of Maureen Taylor-Graham and her late husband Stephen of Peabody, Nancy Kelley and Theresa Gallivan of Newton,  Andrea Kelley of Greenville, NC and the late John R. Kelley. Sister of the late John, Albert, James and Mary O'Shea, Edith Gagnon, Beatrice Bowdren and Rita Folan. Cherished grandmother of Jeffrey Taylor and his wife Kelly, Julie Taylor-Massey and her husband Drew, Emma Deschamps and Nicholas Deschamps. Also lovingly survived by her great grandchildren, John and Jackson Taylor, Breck and Brooke Massey as well as many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral from the Carroll Funeral Home, 721 Salem Street, (Maplewood Square) MALDEN on Wednesday, February 21st at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Joseph's Church, 770 Salem St., Malden at 10 o'clock. Visiting Hours in the Carroll Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4-8 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Brooksby Village Benevolent Fund, 400 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody, MA 01960

Catherine Johanna Kelley was born on September 30, 1918 to Edith (Gallivan) and Patrick O’Shea in Lynn, Massachusetts. The fifth of eight children, she survived her siblings: John, Mary, Patrick (Albie), and James O’Shea, Edith Gagnon, Beatrice Bowdren, and Rita Folan. She was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School, class of 1936. Upon graduation, she worked for General Electric in Lynn. At the conclusion of WWII, she met a returning veteran, John F. Kelley of Charlestown, Mass. They were married in 1947 and spent 67 years together until John’s death in 2014. They lived a true love story, remaining thoroughly devoted to one another and the best of friends.

Making their home in Maplewood, Malden, they raised four children: Maureen Graham of Peabody, John Kelley (deceased), Nancy Kelley of Newton, and Andrea Kelley of Greenville, NC. Her beloved grandchildren include Jeffrey Taylor and wife Kelly, Julie Taylor-Massey and husband Drew, and Emma and Nicholas Deschamps. She also leaves her four great-grandchildren: John and Jackson Taylor and Breck and Brooke Massey; and many nieces and nephews.

Catherine/Cady/Kay was a vibrant, loving woman, known for her kindness, sociability, and special way of making people feel good about themselves. She also had a wonderful sense of humor, which she kept intact until the very end. She was an excellent cook, loved to travel, and made friends wherever she went. One of her favorite sayings was ‘the one who needs a smile the most is the one who has none to give.’

Her final years were spent at Brooksby Village in Peabody, where she expressed love and appreciation every day to the wonderful team of caregivers.

Catherine showed by her example how to live life with graciousness and generosity and gratitude. She will be greatly missed.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Brooksby Village—the CNAs, Nurses, Activities, and Support Staff—who have made such a loving home for Catherine these past years. A special thanks to long-term caregivers—Auria, Angela, Argelia, Beatrice, the two Graces—and to Debbie, Senayet, Genesis, Marie, and Jeffy. There are too many to name, but we thank you all for your professionalism and friendship.

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