MELROSE — Catherine E. (Doherty) Sellon, 73, a resident of Melrose and formerly longtime of Somerville, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, November 22.
Catherine was born in Charlestown on May 25, 1941, one of three children of the late Bernard J. and Catherine E. (Gorry) Doherty. Raised in Charlestown, she called Somerville home where she raised her family.
With a strong work ethic, Catherine devoted much of her energy to her working career and worked very hard throughout her life. She was an independent, strong willed woman who was devoted to her family, and her church.
Catherine, lovingly known as “Cathy” was a longtime parishioner of St. Joseph Church. She was incredibly kind and caring to everyone she met, especially to those in need. Her family received much of her love, but through her work at Evergreen Nursing Home she had enough love in her heart to care deeply for the needy residents. She often kept working long past her shift to make sure the residents were fed, cared for and comfortable in bed. Cathy was a brave person who endured much, but always had enough strength to continue providing love for those around her.
In her last job and perhaps her favorite, she worked for the president of Harvard University providing personal custodial care. Diligent and friendly, Cathy talked to everyone and shared her inner kindness with the students, professors, and the other workers who all loved her.
More recently, she loved attending regular Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Melrose. She had a deep connection to St. Theresa and relied on the strength of her faith to share her love with others.
Proud of her Irish roots, Cathy loved listening to Irish music and enjoyed dancing. Cathy enjoyed summer vacations to Derry, New Hampshire to spend time with family and visit Canobie Lake Park. She found comfort in planting flowers for her parents, and especially loved spending time with and playing with her beloved grandson Luke. She also enjoyed going out to eat with her family and had an open door to stray cats and dogs. Forever kind, Cathy will be deeply missed but the goodness of her life will live on in the hearts of her family.
Catherine was the devoted mother of Thomas H. Sellon and his wife Angela of Stoneham and Theresa A. Sellon and her boyfriend Curt Selig of Melrose. She was the cherished sister Bernard J. Doherty and his wife Eileen of Somerville, and Mary A. Doherty of Melrose. She was the loving grandmother of Luke T. Sellon. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Cathy’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again on Wednesday at 9AM before leaving in procession to St. Mary’s Church, Herbert St., Melrose for her Funeral Mass at 10 a.m.
Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Gifts in her memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown MA 02472.
For directions, online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
