CATHERINE R. "KAY" MCCOLE

1925 - 2024

McCOLE, Catherine R. "Kay" (Donovan) Of Hingham, formerly of South Boston, passed away peacefully, at age 99, on May 22, 2024. Catherine was born in South Boston on February 3, 1925. She was the daughter of Irish immigrants, Daniel and Ellen (Fehily) Donovan. Beloved wife of the late John McCole. Dear mother of Joan Luna and her husband, David of Braintree. Loving Gram of Michael and Emily Luna. Sister of the late Bartholomew Donovan, Helen Toomey and Irene Chaput. Cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews. Kay was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and her love of Southie, her hometown, was unmatched. She was a devout Catholic. Kay (Sr. Catherine) was a member of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth for over 30 years, having joined the convent right after graduating high school. Catherine spent decades as a teacher in dozens of schools in Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee and then Massachusetts in Newburyport, Brockton, Archbishop Williams and St. Thomas More in Braintree, before finally returning to her beloved South Boston and marrying the love of her life, her brother's best friend, John McCole. They spent 24 happy years together walking Castle Island, cruising to many new destinations and traveling to Europe until John's death in 2000. It was often said that by marrying Kay, John's life was extended an additional 10 years. For this, Joan and the entire McCole family will be eternally grateful to Kay. Throughout her long life, Catherine was always a voracious reader, a lover of learning and the first to get up and dance when she heard music playing. Dearest Kay, we wish for you an eternity of reading books, listening to accordions playing and dancing waltzes with your beloved John in heaven. Thank you to the staff of Rose Court at Linden Ponds for the wonderful care they provided for the last months of Kay's life. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Wednesday, May 29, from 9:00-10:30 AM, at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 146 Dorchester St., SOUTH BOSTON, followed by a Funeral Mass, at 11:00 AM, in St. Brigid Church, 841 East Broadway, South Boston. A private Burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org O'Brien Funeral Home 617-269-1600

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