Kathleen Ann MacMaster

Kathleen Ann (Rogers) MacMaster, a resident of Melrose, passed away on June 21, 2025 in East Boston after a lengthy illness. She was 76 years old. Kathleen was called home to God just three months after her husband's passing.
Born on August 20, 1948 in Malden, Massachusetts to the late Wilfred C. Rogers and Frances B. (Meehan) Rogers, Kathleen spent her earliest years at the family's starter home on South Main Street in Melrose. In elementary school, her family relocated to North Reading, where her father had built the home in which she and her five siblings were raised.
As a child and teenager, Kathleen was a faithful communicant of St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic Church in North Reading, where she received the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Kathleen attended North Reading High School from where she graduated in 1966. A standout student, member of the cheerleading squad, softball team, and the World Affairs Club, she was well-liked and respected by students and teachers alike.
In the 1970s, Kathleen worked as an executive assistant at Compugraphic in Wilmington. It was there where she met her future husband, John "Jack" MacMaster. After a brief courtship, they wed on August 30, 1974 in Rhode Island; they were happily married for more than 50 years.
While a trusted and adroit executive assistant, Kathleen's true calling in life was motherhood. From an early age, she wanted nothing more than to be a mother. A year after her marriage, Kathleen's dream came true twice over with the birth of her twin boys. With the cornerstone of her family in place, Kathleen gave up her career to be a homemaker, focusing all her time and energy to create a warm and loving home for her family. The birth of her twins was followed by the birth of two additional sons.
A selfless and doting mother, Kathleen showered her four boys with love and affection. She worked assiduously to raise them in the Catholic faith, providing them with a Catholic education in school and at home.
After raising her children, Kathleen returned to the workplace, serving as a sales associate and later assistant store manager at Yankee Candle in Methuen. She was employed at Yankee Candle for almost 20 years. Yet even while employed, Kathleen's pride and joy were her children, which remained the focal point of her life. Kathleen enjoyed cooking, baking, entertaining, and hosting holidays; she also relished summers at the beach with her family.
Kathleen leaves behind her son Shawn and his wife Shannon of Melrose; Shane and his wife Anna of Melrose; Kevin and his wife Jessica of Fremont, NH; Brian and his partner Joyce of Honolulu, HI; and 10 grandchildren: Ashleigh, Brody, Kristina, Emma, Samuel, William, Joshua, Cora, Jonathan, and Baylor. Kathleen is also survived by her brother Paul Rogers and his wife Nancy; her sister Sheila Pepper; her brother Mark Rogers and his partner Ann; her sister-in-law Sheila (MacMaster) Herbert and her husband Thomas; her sister-in-law Mary Gail (MacMaster) Jaggers and her husband Jerald; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her dear friends Geraldine Rourke and Sister Carol Verville.
In addition to her parents and husband, Kathleen was predeceased by her brother William Rogers; her sister Beverly (Rogers) Viveiros; her brother-in-law Daniel MacMaster; her beloved cousin Robert Champion; and her great aunt Marie (Meehan) Kelley to whom she adored and was very close.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish, 4 Herbert Street in Melrose. Interment to follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Stoneham.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kathleen's memory to Lazarus House Ministries, PO Box 408, Lawrence, MA 01842.