Worked for Melrose schools
BRENTWOOD, N.H. — Catherine E. “Katie” (Birmingham) Alkins, 93, of Brentwood, N.H., formerly of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on Monday, Feb. 9.
Catherine was born in Lynn on Nov. 26, 1921 and was one of four daughters of the late Patrick J. and Mary Margaret (Monahan) Birmingham. She was raised in Lynn and graduated from Lynn English High School. On Nov. 15, 1952, she married her beloved husband and they settled in Melrose to raise two children. Catherine, known as “Katie,” was a deeply faith-filled woman who cherished her family.
Originally from Lynn, Katie began her working career at General Electric. After moving to Melrose, Katie worked as a housekeeper at the Normandy House (now EPOCH of Melrose). She then worked for the City of Melrose, Melrose Public Schools where she served as matron for the Elementary, Middle and High Schools.
Throughout her life, she remained a deeply spiritual woman. She often took the train into Boston to St. Anthony’s Shrine and attended Mass while living at Rockingham County Nursing Home. She filled every day with prayerful recitations of the rosary and novena and practiced her faith by sharing her love, attention and care with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Always the good sport, especially at the holidays, from dressing up as a leprechaun to wearing turkey hats and as our favorite Halloween witch, Katie also loved watching football and joyfully celebrated as the Patriots won the 2015 Superbowl. Most of all, she cherished the time spent surrounded by her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Katie was a daughter, sister, friend, colleague but, most importantly, she was mother, nana and GG.
Katie was the beloved wife of Ret. Melrose Police Officer, the late William E. Alkins, with whom she shared 31 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of William J. Alkins and his wife Karen of Raymond, N.H.; and Terry Bertoulin and her husband Michael of Newmarket, N.H. She was the dear sister of the late Anne Foley, Mary Clement and Rita LeBlanc. She was the cherished “Nana” of William Alkins of Bedford, N.H.; Casey Alkins of Raymond, N.H.; Joshua Bertoulin of Brentwood, N.H.; and Jennifer Flanagan of Berwick, Maine. She was the loving “GG” of Katelyn Bertoulin, Addison Bertoulin, Jared Flanagan and Jacoby Flanagan. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Katie’s life for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Sunday, Feb. 15, and again on Monday, Feb. 16 before leaving in procession to St. Mary Church, Herbert Street, Melrose for her funeral Mass. Interment will take place in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. In lieu of flowers, we ask that a donation be made specifically in Katie’s name to benefit those suffering from Dysphagia to: Rockingham County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, c/o Steven E. Woods, Director and Administrator, Efforts Fund, 117 North Rd., Brentwood NH 03833. For directions, online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
