Obituary of Kathleen M. "Kathy" (Heald) Ettlinger

Kathleen M. “Kathy” (Heald) Ettlinger, 52, of Peabody, died at her home following a lengthy illness on Thursday, May 28, 2009 with her family at her side. Kathy was born in Lynn on September 18, 1956, the daughter of George M. Heald of Peabody and the late Mary C. (Gianino) Heald. She was raised in Peabody and graduated for Bishop Fenwick High School class of 1974 and resided in Peabody for most of her life. She pursued her education at Lowell University for a brief period and following many years of correspondence courses Kathy received a Bachelor Degree in Natural Health. She was well read and had an uncanny ability to retain facts. Kathy began her working career in 1974 as a secretary at General Accident at the N.S. Shopping Center eventually becoming an administrative departmental manager. In 1990, she became employed for as an educational coordinator for the Independent Insurance Agents of Massachusetts before founding her own company in 1991. As the owner of Heald & Ettlinger Enterprises she traveled extensively training staff in developmental procedures at several insurance agencies, and in 1997 as a writer she founded the Tydea Poetry Company, which she operated until 2001. Kathy loved to play the piano, and sing, and as such performed extensively at Brooksby Village in Peabody and for many years volunteered at the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem. Kathy is survived by her husband Michael S. Ettlinger of Peabody with whom she shared 22 years of marriage; her son, Timothy M. “Tim” Ettlinger of Peabody; her siblings and their spouses, Martin S. and Lucille Heald of Derry, NH, Patricia L. “Trish” and James Dollard of Lebanon, OH, Marcia J. and Michael Lynch of No. Myrtle Beach, NC; her uncle and aunt John and Elaine Gianino of Lynnfield; her mother-in-law of Ann L. Ettlinger of Peabody; her 3 nieces, 1 nephew and 1 great nephew. Her cats will also miss Kathy. A memorial service will be celebrated on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in the Brooksby Chapel at 300 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 200 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970.