Catherine “Kay” B. Boylan, a resident of Winchester, died Saturday, July 19, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Boylan was born in Norwood, MA and grew up in Albany, NY. She was married to her loving husband, William H. Boylan, for fifty-eight years until he passed away ten years ago. Kay was an organized, fiercely-independent, strong woman, whose life centered around her family. Kay was incredibly proud of her family, her faith, and her Irish heritage. Kay was a lifelong reader and particularly enjoyed mysteries. She was devoted to her brother Tommy Lydon and her cousin and best friend Helen (Costello) Thompson.
Kay received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a teaching certificate from the State University of New York at Albany in 1942, expecting to work as a high school math teacher. Attending school on a full scholarship, Kay was the first person in her family to graduate from college. Kay went on to work as a research statistician at General Electric Research Labs in Schenectady, New York, where she met her husband Bill. Kay later worked as the accounting manager for the Winchester Star for twenty years. Kay retired from her position at the Star to take care of her grandchildren.
Kay loved her family and loved being a mother and a grandmother. Kay was a Winchester resident for 55 years, where she lived with her husband and raised her three children Rebecca, Barbara, and William. She has five grandchildren: William D., Daniel P., and Catherine B. O’Connell—whom she took care of every day—and William J. and Rachel M. Boylan. Kay is also survived by her two son-in laws Thomas W. Sidlik, and Diom O’Connell, and daughter- in –law Linda L. Boylan, five nieces and nephews in Albany, NY, her beloved cousin Ellen (Larkin) Garrett, her good friend Alice Stackpole, and many loving cousins from Norwood. Kay was an active member of Saint Eulalia’s Parish family, and a former member of Saint Mary’s School Mothers’ Club, and Our Lady’s Sodality of Saint Mary’s.
Kay’s funeral will be held from the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Wed., July 23 at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge St., Winchester, at 10AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Tues. from 5-8PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Medical Missionaries of Mary, 179 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143.