Kathleen Balcom

Kathleen E. Balcom, 88

WORCESTER - Kathleen E. (Kelleher) Balcom, 88, died peacefully Thursday morning, September 8, 2016 with her family at her side.

Her husband, Peter J. Balcom, died in 1976.

She leaves five children, Michael A. Balcom of Falmouth and his partner Sharon E. Frazier; Nancy E. Bousquet and her husband Todd L. of Holden; Jane A. Gaffney of Auburn, and her partner Robert J. Danna; Thomas F. Balcom of Leicester; and Mary E. Labuski of Worcester and her partner William T. Kane; six grandchildren, Michael J. Gaffney, Kelley A. (Gaffney) Prokop, Heather M. and Lauren L. Bousquet, Christopher P. Kneeland and Erin K. Labuski; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by three sisters, Mary C. Dorsey, Anne M. Seal and Jane E. Hartnett, and a brother, John J. Kelleher.

Kay was born in Worcester, daughter of Daniel H. and Mary V. (Lynch) Kelleher, and lived here all her life.

She graduated from South High School in 1946.

She was a long distance operator at New England Telephone Co. from 1946 to 1987. She then was a receptionist at the Worcester Insurance Company from 1987 to 1997.

Kathleen was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, the Telephone Pioneers of America, and Parents without Partners Worcester Chapter. She was a volunteer for several years at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home.

Kay enjoyed Cape Cod and summered in Dennisport for many years.

The family wishes to acknowledge the dedicated caregivers at Christopher Heights, where Kay made her home for the last two years.

Calling hours are Monday, September 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, III Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral will be Tuesday, September 13, from the funeral home, with a Mass at Noon at Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main St., Worcester. Burial will be in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John's Food Pantry, 44 Temple St., Worcester 01604.