Obituary of Catherine V. "Kay" (Ward) MacKay

Catherine V. “Kay” (Ward) MacKay, 91, of Peabody, died peacefully at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers on Sunday, December 2, 2012 after a brief illness. A lifelong Peabody resident, Kay was a graduate of St. John the Baptist Grammar and High Schools in Peabody. Daughter of the late John. F and Catherine (Wallace) Ward, she was the widow of the late Charles T. MacKay, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage. She was employed for many years as a secretary at Parker Brothers, Sylvania and the Peabody School Lunch Program. In addition to a good joke and a well-mixed cocktail, she enjoyed cooking, baking, decorating, homemaking, walking, swimming, ballroom dancing, shopping, dining out, reading, current events, travel, lobster rolls, hot dogs on toasted rolls and – always – coffee ice cream! She was never happier than when enthusiastically catching up on the latest doings of the myriad family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and acquaintances who knew and loved the ever-present mischievous twinkle in her perpetually sparkling blue eyes. Ever practical and always ready with a genuine smile, a kind word, a witty remark and a helping hand, she practiced daily her credo of “Do the best you can and give the rest to God”. She was a former member of the St. John's Ladies Sodality in Peabody and the Peabody Golden Age Club. For the last 10 years of her life, she resided at the Rosewood Skilled Nursing Facility in West Peabody. Affectionately known by all as “the Rosewood greeter”, she could often be found “holding court” in front of the magnificent stone fireplace in Rosewood's elegant main foyer. From there she could keep tabs on who was coming on shift, who was going off shift, who had company coming, and what was going on with everyone's family, children, grandchildren and pets. An unofficial family member of many staff and residents, she always rejoiced in their, or their family member's graduations; new jobs, relationships and homes; engagements, marriages, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren! We can never adequately thank all the fabulous people at Rosewood who took her under their wing and treated her just like one of their own. Kay is survived by her daughters, Maureen A (MacKay) Pinciaro and Patricia (MacKay) (Miezwa) Henden of Danvers; her son, Mark MacKay of Seattle, WA; her son-in-law, Neil Henden of Danvers; her “granddogger”, Cleo; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her siblings James, John W. (“Wally”), Charles and William Ward, and Mary (Ward) Sahovey; her son, William MacKay; and her son-in law, Roland Pinciaro. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 11th from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., (next to St. John’s Church & City Hall) Peabody. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 12th at 10 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church Street, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, Kay respectfully requested that expressions of sympathy be made to the Rosewood Residents' Fund, Rosewood Skilled Nursing Facility, C/O Jean Avalon, 22 Johnson St.., Peabody MA 01960 so that those who may be otherwise unable to do so may enjoy outings to Salem Willows, Topsfield Fair, shopping at the malls and the occasional lunch out. Burial in St. Mary’s cemetery, Salem. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.