Catherine (Kelaher) O'Brien

Catherine “Kay” (Kelaher) O’Brien, 86, of Southborough, died peacefully Tuesday, December 17, 2024, of natural causes at Care Dimensions in Lincoln, MA.

Kay is predeceased by her husband, William J. O’Brien, in 2002 after more than forty years of marriage. She was the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Gertrude (Shine) Kelaher. Kay was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia (Kelaher) Ford and Thomas Ford.

Kay is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Pagano and her husband Joseph of Worcester, her sons, William O’Brien and his wife Laura of Brookline and Christopher O’Brien and his wife Paola of Newton. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Catherine “Kate”, Emma, Leo and his wife Carine and John Pagano, Liam, Henry, Seamus and Jason O’Brien and Patrick, Francesca “Cesca” and Lucas O’Brien and her great-grandson Luca Pagano.

Kay grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. She earned a BA from Georgian Court University. Upon graduation, she taught elementary school in the inner city. While her children were young, she volunteered for many education-related charities, and served on the Town of Southborough School Committee. An adventurer at heart, Kay pursued a career as a travel agent for twenty years, which brought her to five continents. Her passion for Catholic education led her to serve as a volunteer student liaison and board member of the Diocese of Worcester Adopt-A-Student Program. She was active at St. Matthew Catholic Church as a Eucharistic minister for many years. Most importantly, she was "Mimé" to 12 grandchildren who adored her.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Morris-Johnston Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Southborough, MA 01772. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00AM at St. Matthew Church, 105 Southville Rd., Southborough, MA 01772. Burial will follow at Southborough Rural Cemetery, 11 Cordaville Rd., Southborough, MA 01772.

The family would like to thank Care Dimensions of Lincoln, MA for the wonderful care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Worcester Diocese Adopt-A–Student Program, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609 are appreciated.