Obituary of Katherine A. "Kathy" (Farmer) Fay

Katherine A. Kathy (Farmer) Fay 67 years, wife of Albert J. Fay of Peabody, died Sunday evening at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Fay was born July 4, 1937 in East Boston daughter of the late Edward and Beatrice (McDonald) Farmer. She was raised and graduated from St. Rose High School in Chelsea. She has been a resident of Peabody since 1967. Mrs. Fay was employed for several years as a part time switchboard operator at the former J.B. Thomas Hospital in Peabody. In her earlier years, she had been employed at the New England Telephone Company in Revere and the First National Bank of Boston. Mrs. Fay was involved in St. Ann’ s Parish including serving on the Pastoral Council, volunteering for My Brother’ s Table, the Church bazaar and an active participant with the 9 o’ clocker’ s. After the sudden death of her son in 1984, she co founded a Bereavement Group (1985) with Father Bruce Flannagan to offer hope and healing for those from all faiths who had lost loved ones; she was actively involved in the group until a few years ago due to complications arising from diabetes. She was also a member of the Compassionate Friends in North Reading. In addition to her husband of 42 years, she is survived by 2 daughters and their husbands, Karen A. and Kenneth Yadvish of Roslyn, NY and Judith M. and Michael Parrella of Revere; a brother and his wife, William and Teresa Farmer of Brighton; a sister and her husband Edna and Richard Sherwin of Rye NH; 4 grandchildren, Lauren Fay Yadvish of NY, Megan, Ryann and Kayla Parrella all of Revere; many nieces and nephews. She was pre deceased by a son Steven J. Fay and a sister Muriel Farmer. Her funeral will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 12 Chestnut St., Peabody location, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Ann’ s Church , 140 Lynn St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Friday from 3 - 7 p.m. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the M.G.H. Phillips House, 21st fl. Nursing Unit, 100 Charles River Plaza, Suite 600, Boston MA 02114 or the M.G.H. Palliative Care Service, 55 Fruit St., Founders 600, Boston MA 02114.