Obituary of Kathleen R. (Fitzgerald) Conway

Kathleen R. (Fitzgerald) Conway, age 100 years, died peacefully in the presence of her family on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at the Rosewood Nursing Home in Peabody. She was the wife of the late Philip F. Conway. Kathleen was born on October 19, 1914 in Salem, the daughter of the late Daniel J. and Ellen (Wallace) Fitzgerald and was a graduate of Salem High School and attended College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, New Jersey. She had resided in Peabody most of her life and was a devoted communicant of St. John the Baptist Church where she had been a member and officer of the Ladies Sodality and the former Leo Guild, North Shore Catholic Charities, Williams Guild of St. John’s Prep as well as a long time supporter of the Oblate Fathers and The Maryknoll Missionaries. Kay had enjoyed knitting and making Irish knit sweaters and hats for many years for family and the annual Christmas bazaar. She was an avid reader and liked doing the crossword puzzles and enjoyed a soap on the TV that she called “my only vice.” Kathleen helped to coordinate the annual Wallace/Kelley Family reunion and cherished her relationship with her Beverly area extended family. She had been a secretary for many years at the F.L. Conway & Sons Funeral Home in Peabody, now fourth generation family business, and had been a member of the West Beach Association of Beverly Farms for more than 60 years. Kathleen enjoyed watching all Boston Sports teams, especially the Red Sox, Patriots and also supported going to the sporting games of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kay had a remarkable life reaching the age of 100 and was able to share her memories with her family and others right up to the very end. She is survived by her children, Patricia Ann Motto and her husband Dr. Jerome Motto of San Mateo, California, Kathleen Ellen Doon and her husband Thomas Doon of Rutland, Vermont, Francis L. Conway and his wife Carol Ann Conway of Peabody and Mary Elizabeth Conway and her companion Jack Joyce of Peabody, She was the proud grandmother of Philip F. Conway of Beverly, Kevin J. Conway and his wife Mary of Peabody, J. Christopher Conway and his wife Ilene of Lynnfield, MA, Megan Bowen Conway of Atlanta, GA, Ellen Doon Marchand and her husband Adam of New Haven, CT., Josh Motto and his wife Jacqueline and Hannah Motto Hall and her husband Wade Hall all of California, her cherished great grandchildren, Katie, Max, Rose Patrick , Andrew, Grace, and Lily Conway, Annalise, Kaitlin and Matthew Motto, Jack and Henry Marchand and Ethan and Grady Hall, and her nephews, Eugene and Robert Kelly, Daniel Fitzgerald and Atty. Leonard F. Conway and their families. She was the sister of the late Rev. William R. Fitzgerald O.M.I of the Oblate Fathers, Richard Fitzgerald and Ann Marie (Nancy) Kelly. Kathleen’s family is grateful for the dedicated staff of the Rosewood Nursing Center for their compassion and professional support. A Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 until 5:00 PM at the Conway,Cahill-Brodeur funeral home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. Her funeral will be held on Monday, December 29, 2014 at 10 AM from the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Haven from Hunger, 71 Wallis St., Peabody, MA 01960 or to the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215 or to a charity of choice in Kathleen’s memory. .