Catherine B. “Sis/Sissy” (Abbott) Greene, a lifelong resident of Charlestown entered into eternal life on Sunday, August 8, 2021, surrounded by loving family and caregivers at Newfield House in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She was 92 years of age.
Catherine was born in Charlestown on July 29, 1929 to James F. Abbott and Catherine A. (Carr) Abbott at 41 Soley Street. Catherine grew up in Charlestown and was educated at Saint Mary’s School from which she graduated in 1942. While at St. Mary’s she was a member of its drum and bugle corps. Catherine went onto Cathedral High School from which she graduated in 1946. While Catherine contemplated the convent, her Cathedral classmates thought she would make “a good Congresswoman.” Upon her graduation from Cathedral, Catherine was offered a scholarship to attend Emmanuel College which she declined in favor of work and family. In September of 1950, Catherine married Edward W. Greene from Lawrence Street and they began their life together eventually settling in at 45 Soley Street where she and Eddie would raise their own family 2 doors up from where she was born and raised. Catherine maintained a lifelong connection to Charlestown, Soley Street and Saint Mary’s.
Catherine worked for many years at New England Telephone and Telegraph Company as an operator and then a supervisor at its Bowdoin Square and Middleboro locations. Later in life, she worked with the Boston Public Schools as a Paraprofessional at both the Perry School and the Clarence R. Edwards. She loved working with children as her maternal instinct never waned. Catherine was active in various civic and philanthropic organizations including the Old Charlestown Schoolgirls Association, Red Hats Society and “Bonnie Seniors” of Saint Bonaventure Parish in Manomet.
She loved family above all else. First it was her family at 41 Soley and the extended Abbott and Carr clans, and then it was her own family and the Greenes each of which grew with each successive generation. Catherine also loved the ocean and cherished her time in Manomet where she and Eddie created a second home for their family. Manomet, at first a summer retreat, truly became a second home over the years where birthdays, weddings, retirements, holidays and other family milestones were celebrated with a light heart and zeal. Catherine had no rival when it came to being a gracious hostess. She also loved entertaining and planning events with Eddie, particularly in the 50s and 60s, when “times” were all the rage at the “Knights”, V.F.W. and ballrooms about town.
Catherine is the beloved wife of the late retired Boston Firefighter Edward W. “Eddie” Greene. She is the loving mother of Edward, James and Thomas, and the late Geralyn, Aiden, Kathleen, and William. She is the beloved Nanna to Paul, Craig, David, Dawn Marie, Caitlin, Edward, Cora, Erica and Ginaya. Catherine is also the loving great-grandmother to 11. She is the beloved sister of Ann Marie Capodanno and the late Gerard Abbott, Paul Abbott, and Eugene Abbott. She is also survived by many loving nephews and nieces.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Catherine’s visiting hours on Friday morning, August 13, 2021 from 8:30 to 9:30 A.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church, 55 Warren St. Charlestown. Her burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Catherine's name to:
Saint Labre Indian School
112 Labre Campus Dr. Ashland, Montana 59004
https://www.stlabre.org/ways-to-give/
and/or
Saint Joseph Indian School
P.O. BOX 326
Chamberlain, South Dakota 57326
https://www.stjo.org/help-native-americans/