Obituary of Katharine M. (Byrne) McDonald

Katharine M. (Byrne) McDonald PEABODY – Katharine M. (Byrne) McDonald, 101, wife of the late James L. McDonald, Sr., died Saturday December 17, 2016 at the Summerfield Assisted Living Facility in Bradenton, FL. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late James J. and Mary A. (Brennan) Byrne. Katharine was a graduate of St. James High School in Salem, and received a B.Ed. degree from Boston College and Master degree from Boston University. She lived on the North Shore in the Salem, Peabody and Danvers area most of her life. Prior to her marriage, she performed dramatic readings and comedic skits on the radio, and in local recitals. She briefly lived near Augusta, GA as a World War II military bride. Katharine taught Public Speaking and was Coach of the Drama Club at Salem High School for two years. She was a Salem School District Speech Therapist for several years. She was an avid reader and conversationalist, and practiced Yoga for several decades. In her later years, she was a member of a local meditation group, the respected Matriarch of a large, extended family, and a charter member of The Nutcrackers—a group of McDonald women connected by love of theater, good company, good food and good humor. In 2013 she moved to Bradenton to be closer to her son and daughter. She is survived by a daughter and two sons, Mary Ann Loewenstein of Lakewood Ranch, FL, James L. McDonald, Jr. of San Antonio, FL and Joseph P. McDonald of Littleton, CO; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a sister Mary A. Byrne of Salem, and a multitude of wonderful nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband James in 1995, and four siblings James, Joseph, and Edward Byrne and Anne Walker. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Wednesday December 28, 2016 at 10AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 AM in St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5 – 7 in the funeral home. Burial in Star of the Sea Cemetery, Marblehead. Memorial donations may be made to the National Audubon Society, or to Catholic Charities North at Salem, 280 Washington St., Salem, MA 01970.