CATHERINE C. ALLARD

1925 - 2024

ALLARD, Catherine C. Catherine Curtis Allard, known to most as Kay, passed away peacefully, at the age of 99, on August 23, 2024, with family by her side, at her home in Manchester-by-the Sea, MA. Born in Boston on January 30, 1925, Kay was the middle daughter of Louis Curtis, a resident partner at Brown Brothers and Harriman and Mary Sloan Colt Curtis of Boston. She was predeceased by her four sisters, Mary "Polly" Burrus, Fanny Luke, Laura Cutler and Louisa Gustafson. Kay was a graduate of Westover School in Connecticut, and as a young independent woman, Kay lived and worked in New York, Florida and Newport, Rhode Island. She eventually lived in Cambridge and worked many years for Dr. Carter Rowe, a prominent orthopedic surgeon in Boston. Kay was well-loved by Dr. Rowe's patients and well-respected as a flawless typist and self-reliant woman. Kay met Herbert K. Allard, and they were married in 1965. They spent their married life in Manchester-by-the Sea. Together, they created a nature-loving, balanced marriage, each pursuing their own interests and delighting together in family gatherings, social events and travel. Herb passed away in 2012. Throughout her healthy, long life, Kay thoroughly enjoyed playing tennis and golf, creating lifelong friends of all ages along the way. She was a member of The Essex County Club and the Manchester Athletic Club. Kay was an avid gardener and will always be remembered for her extraordinary dahlia garden. Her dahlias were in full bloom on the day she left us, honoring her natural beauty and peaceful nature. She was an active member of the North Shore Garden Club and the Abacus Investment Club, local bridge and book clubs. She was a regular volunteer at the Manchester Public Library. Kay took special joy in her season tickets to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Fridays at Symphony have never been the same since she, Laura and Ailsa graced their seats. She knew how to enjoy each and every day to its fullest. Kay's greatest joy came from spending time with her closest friends and family. She loved to travel, to Europe. Fondly known as "Auntie Kay" by all, she will forever be remembered for her steadfast acceptance of every person in her life, and her unique ability to have an individual relationship with each and every family member. Auntie Kay had the gift of listening and was always genuinely interested in what others had to say; in their lives, successes and failures. She always had a smile on her face and a positive outlook on life that was contagious to all. She will be immensely missed by each and every person who had the privilege of even the smallest of conversations with Kay Allard. She made each and every person feel special, and she possessed a true love of life. Her light lives on in all of us who knew her. Kay leaves behind her nieces Lori Archuleta of Essex, MA, Erika Curtis of Essex, MA, Karen Geoghegan of Kilcolgan, Ireland, Mimi Snyder of Bryan Mar, PA, Suzanne Gere of Cardiff, CA, and Louisa Woodville of The Plains, VA; and her nephews, Tarrant Cutler of Orleans, MA, Edward Cutler of Easton, NH, and Richard Woodville of Wayne, PA. She also leaves 17 grandnieces and nephews and 17 great-grandnieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to her amazing, dedicated and loving caregivers, Sandy and Alanna Stewart-Bell-Jacques, Toby McCormack, Joanne Gagnon and Tomi Lou Muniz. We would also like to thank the compassionate and professional team at Care Dimensions. Catherine Allard will be Buried privately at Mount Auburn Cemetery, being laid to rest with her parents; grandparents; sisters, Polly and Louisa. Her Memorial Service will be celebrated at Emmanuel Church, 24 Masconomo St., Manchester-by-the-Sea, on Saturday, October 5th, at 11am, followed by a reception at the Singing Beach Club. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, BEVERLY. Condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com