Katherine L. (McGovern) O’Grady, 86, of Northborough, and Green Valley, AZ, passed away Wednesday, September 23rd in the Rose Monahan Hospice Home, Worcester. She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen M. O’Grady, MD; her son-in-law, John K. Mukai, MD, both of Northborough; her three grandchildren, Emily, Carolyn, and Michael Mukai; and many nephews and nieces. She also leaves her surrogate daughter, Ming Kai of Wilmington, as well as her three children Doug, Tom, and Stacey. Her great nephew Daniel Kliewer held a special place in her heart. She was predeceased by her husband David I. O’Grady and by her brother and two sisters, Terrance F. McGovern II, Mary Ahearn, and Patricia Burke.
She was born in Brighton, the daughter of Terrance F. and Martha (MacDonald) McGovern. She graduated from St. Columbkille High School in Brighton and worked for many years at the 3M Company in Needham, retiring in 1992. After retiring, she moved to Green Valley, AZ, where she was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Parish. She was also an OASIS tutor, mentoring elementary school children. She was devoted to her family and friends. Katherine was an avid reader and bird watcher.
Her family would like to extend a special thank you to her caregiver and friend for the last four years, Marita David for her love and devotion to Katherine. It made a painful and difficult journey bearable. They would also like to thank the staff of the Harbor Memory Care Unit at Shrewsbury Crossings and the staff of the Rose Monahan Hospice Home for their compassion, patience, and kindness.
A Memorial Mass for Katherine will be held Monday, September 28th at 10:00 A.M. in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1290 Grafton Street, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, 302 West Main Street, #100, Avon, CT 06001 or Oasis Tutoring, 11780 Borman Drive, Suite 400, St. Louis, MO 63146.