Katherine A. "Kay" Simonds

Katherine "Kay" Simonds ( Godino), 94, a lifelong resident of Waban, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family on October 29, 2025. Kay was blessed to have lived her entire life in the home where she was born. It was her wish to spend her last moments in her home, filled with memories and love.
Growing up in Waban, she was an honor roll graduate of Newton High School, Class of 1948. She often shared how proud she was to have been offered a position with the CIA after graduation, but she couldn't bring herself to leave her loving family. Instead, Kay began her career as a bookkeeper for a laundry service in Newton and married Robert Simonds at the age of 20. She welcomed her first daughter Kathy at 21 while her husband was deployed with the Air Force in the Korean War. After raising her six children, Kay spent more than 40 years working as a sales associate at The Newton Marriott.
In her earlier years, she loved bowling and bike riding in her free time and was a self-taught piano player. She had a special love for cats-at one point sharing her home with eight of them along with her 6 kids. Her house often became the gathering place for neighborhood children, as she naturally assumed the role of the neighborhood matriarch.
Later in life, she became an avid Red Sox fan who never missed a game. She also was a member of the Newton/Waban Women's Club for many years. She taught us all by example the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and was admired by her family and neighbors for her daily walks. Wherever she went, she had a kind and loving personality that attracted friends and strangers to befriend her as if they were lifelong friends. A devout Catholic, she attended Mass at Saint Philip Neri Church. At one time, she was the oldest living member of the parish and was heartbroken when the church closed. She continued to watch services on television when she could no longer attend in person.
Most of all, Kay cherished time spent with her family. During the holidays, her home came alive with loved ones and the familiar excitement of the annual bingo games-where she was always determined to win. As the years went on, the tradition continued, adding grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the fun.
Predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert Simonds, who passed away at the age of 69; her parents, Thomas Godino and Teresina Fragale of Nicastro, Italy; her youngest daughter, Patti Simonds; her brothers, James and Manuel; and her sister, Mary. As the youngest of four, Kay completed the circle of her family, each having passed in the order of their birth.
Kay is survived by five children: Kathy Snider and her husband Frank, Bobby Simonds and his wife Laura, Cindi Ragusa and her late husband Sebastian, Cheri Mossman and her husband Kenny, and Wendy Sostilio and her husband Johnny; nine grandchildren-Dawn, Pam, Patty, Nick, Lauren, Nicole, Samantha, Mike, and Matt; and five great-grandchildren-Bella, Olivia, Evelyn, Brian, and Violet.
To all of Kay's wonderful neighbors and her special caregiver Alice, an angel who became part of the family, we would not have been able to honor her wish to stay at home without all your help and kindness. For this we are forever grateful.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to gather and remember Kay during visiting hours on Saturday, November 15th from 11am - 12pm In The Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco and Sons Memorial Chapels, located 773 Moody Waltham. Parking attendants will be on duty.
A Celebration of Kay's life will begin at 12pm. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery Waltham.
Those who would like to pay their respects to Kay and her family but are unable to attend, are welcome to sign the family's guestbook at www.BrascoFuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to the American Heart Association and the Women's Club of Newton Highlands (www.newtonwomansclub.com) in memory of Kay.
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