Catherine R. "Kay" Brooks

Catherine R. 'Kay' Brooks
She was born to be a mother
and grandmother
LOWELL - Catherine R. 'Kay' Brooks, a lifelong resident of Lowell passed away Saturday, August 1, 2015, at home surrounded by her loving, extended family, following a stroke at Nashoba Valley Medical Geriatric Unit and after a long battle with dementia.
Catherine was born September 18, 1929, in Lowell and was the wife of the late Henry J. Brooks who passed away November 3, 1993 after forty-six years of marriage. Catherine was the daughter of the late Alice (Creamer) Lawrenson and the late Charlie Lawrenson.
After her mother had a stroke at the age of 23 and became disabled, Catherine was raised by an extended family including her grandparents, Tim and Mary Creamer, along with her aunts Mae, Ida, Winnie and Mabel, and uncles Gus, Tim, and Ambrose. She was raised to be devoted to her Catholic faith and her family.
Catherine was always first and foremost about God and her family. She was a devoted communicant at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell. She adored being a mother and a grandmother. An old fashioned Irish mother, regardless of the ages of her children she never stopped telling them the difference between right and wrong. Catherine was also a devoted grandmother making sure she babysat all four grandchildren so they would be cared for with the love she was raised with. She became interested in any activity as long as it involved being with her family. Kay especially enjoyed traveling to Hampton Beach and Foxwoods, shopping at yard sales, and going out for ice cream.
Catherine was proud of the time she spent working as an inspector at Raytheon in Lowell where she made many friends over the years, until her retirement in 1975. She was also proud of her time working for the late Senator Ted Kennedy in his many campaigns.
Kay is survived by her sons, David M. Brooks of Lowell, Timothy J. Brooks and his fiance, Therese Morrison of Dracut, William H. Brooks of Lowell, and Richard J. Brooks and his wife, Joanne of Westfield. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Ashley Manley and her husband, Rich of Palmer, Jessica Brooks of Westfield, Emma Brooks of Lowell and Molly Brooks of Lowell. Catherine also leaves her dear friend and cousin, Mary Lapham of Londonderry, NH, as well as her cousins, Barbara Doherty of Derry, NH, Joanie Gagne of Peabody, and Charlie Berger of Chelmsford.
She also leaves her special nieces, Evelyn McCann and Eileen Malloy both of Tyngsboro, who helped so much with taking care of her at home during her illness. She also leaves behind her 'adopted' sons, Marc Gendron of Nashua, Mark Hamilton of Lowell, and Ralph Starr of Lowell; and her lifelong friends, Dolly Robillard of Hudson, NH and Dave Thompson of Salem, NH; and many nieces and nephews.
Catherine was predeceased by her sister, Rita Daudelin and her husband, John; her daughter in law, Kelly (Keefe) Brooks; her sister-in-law, Mary Broderick; her mother-in-law, Elsie Brooks; her godson, John Daudelin Jr.; and her beloved dog, Peaches. She was also predeceased by her grandparents, Tim and Mary Creamer; her aunts Mae, Ida, Winnie and Mabel; and her uncles Gus, Timmy, and Ambrose.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers who helped in Catherine's home care including Fiders, Carmen, and Barbara from Elder Services; also Irene, Stephanie, Marc, Donna, Terri, and Grace. They would also like to thank the many great neighbors in Belvidere who were always there for Kay whenever she needed help. And a special thanks to Merrimack Valley Hospice for their assistance in allowing Catherine to fulfill her final wish of passing away at home.
Brooks - YOU ARE INVITED TO HER CALLING HOURS FROM 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON TUESDAY. ON WEDNESDAY, HER FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9 A.M. AT THE MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 NESMITH STREET, LOWELL 978-452-6361. HER FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 EAST MERRIMACK STREET, LOWELL, AT 10 A.M. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. PLEASE VISIT WWW.MAHONEYFUNERALHOME.COM TO SEND THE FAMILY AN E-CONDOLENCE.