Newport, Rhode Island
1933 - 2021
Catherine A. Brannan
Catherine Ann Brannan (McDowell) of Belmont, MA passed away peacefully on February 13, 2021. She was born on April 27, 1933 in Albany, NY to John and Mary McDowell and moved to Boston, MA where she pursued her nursing career. She was the wife of the late Frederick J. Brannan Jr. to whom she was married for 54 years. She was a graduate of Memorial School of Nursing and Emanuel College. She spent her life in service to others as a Psychiatric Nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital, Middlesex County Hospital and St. Francis House. Her kindness and strength were apparent to all who met her, and her beliefs and faith as a Catholic guided her sense of giving to others.
She leaves behind her children: Jay Brannan (Michele) of Temecula, CA; Kara Murphy (Louie) of Newport, RI and Kerry Brannan of New York City.
Catherine had a special love for each of her grandchildren: Connor and Colin Brannan; Louie and Maddie Murphy and Catherine Brannan-Browne.
There will be no calling hours. Due to Covid 19, her funeral and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, our Mom would be honored if you performed an act of kindness with her in your thoughts.
Funeral arrangements are by the O'Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, for online tributes please visit www.oneillhayes.com.
I, too, worked with Catherine at St. Francis House. She showed great patience, skill, and heart in working with people with serious mental illness. Such a warm, strong, caring person. It was my good fortune to know her.
Thomas Hunsdorfer
February 24, 2021 | Albion, MI | Friend
I worked with Catherine at St. Francis House. She was very dedicated to all the guests and staff. May she rest in peace!
I worked with Catherine at St. Francis House. She was very dedicated to all the guests and staff. May she rest in peace!
Bro. Dan Walters, OSB
February 23, 2021
Dear Jay, Cara, and Kerry,
I was so sad to hear of the passing of Cathy.
Cathy was one of my favorite people when I was growing up. She was extremely kind and generous to my entire family. I grew up next door to your Dad, Fred Brannan and remember seeing Cathy walking from the bus stop to Fred's parent's house for dinner. As kids we all admired her because she was so pretty and she always had a kind word for us. When Fred asked me to babysit for them, I was thrilled. I remember...
Susan (Cummings) Radley
February 23, 2021 | Friend
