Catherine S. Ganley, 89, of Londonderry, NH passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at the Maple Leaf Healthcare Center, Manchester, NH surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 1, 1927 in Lowell, MA a daughter of the late John and Mary (McQuade) Quinn. Catherine grew up in Lowell and was a graduate of Lowell High School. She spent most of her life raising her family in Dracut, MA. She lived in Traverse City, MI, Howell, NJ and settled in Londonderry, NH. She was a drummer with the St. Rita’s Cadets while growing up in Lowell. She was a Member of the Sodality Society at St. Mary’s of Assumption Parish in Dracut. Catherine was part of the Choir at Immaculate Conception Church, where she went to Italy, sang at the Vatican, and met the Pope. While at St. Mark’s Church in Londonderry, she helped with the RISE program to help adults achieve Confirmation. Catherine was a CASA Volunteer in Traverse City, MI, where she helped kids who were at risk and needed an advocate. She helped establish the volunteer program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lowell, managed the volunteer program at Lowell General Hospital and later retired from the clerk’s office of Lowell District Court. While in New Jersey, she volunteered in the Pulmonary Dept. at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold. Catherine was very astute on current events. She loved history and debates. She enjoyed knitting, was a voracious reader and in her youth was an avid dancer. The most important things in Catherine’s life were her family and her faith.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Robert Ganley of Londonderry, three daughters, Catherine Dunn and husband Michael of Rye, NH, Patricia Parent and husband Kenneth of Tyngsborough, MA, and Mary LaMarca of Londonderry, four grandchildren, Aryn, Brenda, Ryan and Casey, one brother-in-law, Joseph Mahoney of Lowell, and sister-in-law, Nathalie Ganley of Colts Neck, NJ. She was predeceased by one son, Robert Ganley Jr. as well as all her sisters, Mary Hazel Quinn, Rita Quinn, Patricia Mahoney, Norma Langlois and Joan Langlois.
Calling hours were Saturday October 14, 2017 from 9 – 11am in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry. A Mass of Christian burial followed at 11:30am in St. Mark’s Church, One South Road, Londonderry. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Lowell, MA. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.