Relished time with her family, reading and traveling
NATICK — Kathleen Claire Gagnon (McCarthy) of Natick, formerly of Lynnfield, passed away peacefully on October 23 at the age of 85.
Born in Lynn to Helen (Rooney) and Charles McCarthy, Kay attended St. Joseph Elementary and graduated from St. Mary’s High School with her beloved class of ’55. She earned her teaching degree in 1959 and her Masters degree in 1974 from Salem State College. Kay taught in Marblehead, Peabody, Lynn, and finally in Somerville for 13 years. She relished time with her family, reading, travel, fashion, and real estate and, in her retirement, taught at Marian Court College.
Kay married the love of her life Ray in 1957, and enjoyed 61 years of marriage. They lived in Lynn, Peterborough N.H., North Reading and Lynnfield, where they raised their children. They enjoyed time at their vacation homes in mid-coast Maine and southwest Florida, and traveled the world together.
Kay leaves behind her children Susanne Cortez (Rudy) of Rural Hall, NC, Noelle Pyburn of Portland, Maine, and Gerard Gagnon (Anne-Marie) of Natick,; grandchildren Tessa Collins, Lee Pyburn-Wilson, Sebastian Pyburn, Casey Pyburn, Charles Gagnon and Colin Gagnon; one great grandchild; her siblings Patricia Smart (Thomas) of Boxford and Joseph McCarthy of Ft. Meyers, Fla., several beloved nieces and many dear friends. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Raymond Gagnon and her son Raymond C. Gagnon.
The family expresses its sincere thanks to Mary Ann Morse Healthcare in Natick for the compassionate care she received at the end of her life.
Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday, Oct 28 from 4-7 p.m. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, corner of Salem and Grove Sts., Lynnfield on Saturday, Oct 29 at 10 a.m. Interment, Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield.
Donations in her memory can be made to Salem State University.
