Kathaleen A. "Kathy" DeRoeve, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on October 27, 2021.
She was a fourth-generation townie, born on Green street, lived many years on Pearl St. and Mt Vernon where she attended St Francis, St Mary’s & Charlestown High.
She was a true & proud townie who loved her small neighborhood upbringing. She was also a recent member of the Old Schoolgirls Association. Any time there was a Charlestown Alumni event, in person or commentary on Facebook, Kathy would be there.
The eldest of 5 children, she was as proud of her siblings as her own children. They never missed holidays together. Year’s past, they would sing and huddle around the piano while Nana Barnes would play and Pa sang. More recently, it was at her sister Betty’s that would bring them together. These family gatherings were loving traditions that were filled with admiration & appreciation that would be passed down to the next generations.
In the summer of 1966, Kathy would attend the first Upward Bound summer program at Boston College where she met the love of her life – Peter. High school sweethearts, they would remain at each other’s side for over 55 years.
They would marry in February of 1969 at St Mary’s, welcoming their first daughter - Christine by year’s end.
By 1977, they had expanded their family and settled on Monument Street where she raised her four children: Christine, Peter Jr, Joseph and Nicole.
Kathaleen, now - Ma, would work part time jobs at the Kennedy Center, St. John’s Seminary, MGH and the Federal Reserve Bank Boston all the while shuffling the kids from activities. She was an active mom who expected quality schooling and commitment to pursue dreams.
She loved big cars and was always proud of her children’s participation in school & sports. She was an OG hockey mom always shuttling multiple players to and from games.
Although she never went to college, she ensured her husband and kids all had the opportunity, graduating from catholic schools and private colleges.
In June of 1997, Ma (Kathy) would welcome the next chapter of love to her life, her first grandchild Kyleigh.
Ma would become Nuna. A characteristic she was born to have. No baby in her care was allowed to cry nor would ever think of it with her loving touch. She even aided in the delivery of her grandson – Sean. In all, Nuna would welcome and grace the lives of 6 blessed grandkids.
Nuna, unequivocally adored her grandchildren. Kyleigh (24), Joel(23), Sean(17), James(16), Abigail(12) and Emery(11) would learn the love from Nuna.
There wasn’t a Chef Boyarde or Mac-n-Cheese that couldn’t solve a child’s hunger. Her grandchildren loved spending time with her. She was so proud of their athletic & artistic abilities and scholarly achievements.
There was always music playing in the background, often, it was “the oldies”. The 50’s and 60’s were her decades of choice and seemed to be a constant stream when spending time with Nuna.
Her beloved Red Sox charmed her over with multiple championships since 2004. There wasn’t a TV or radio that didn’t have the “game” on when Nuna was around.
Nuna was a beacon of availability, advise and pillar of support for our family. Always available to her family and friends. With her sister Betty and friend Kathy Collins (Cetrone)on speed dial, there was never a misdiagnosis nor matter that couldn’t be solved.
She will dearly miss her friends and family from Charlestown, Wakefield MA, and The Villages.
She shone brightest when it mattered the most. She never faltered when family was in need. She never coddled and would let you learn from experience. She stood tall and strong during the hardest of times for her family -a true matriarch.
She loved her family, most particularly her husband of 52 years. She raised her four children with honor, respect, humility and kindness who will miss her immensely.
The youngest grandchild is now 11, and Nuna has moved on and can rest easy knowing her family has learned well and will carry on and make her proud.
We are sure she is cooing babies, listening to her music with a Winston 100 & White Zinfandel swirling about waiting for the Sox to play.
We will miss and love her Until the 12th of Never.
Kathy is the beloved wife of 52 years of Peter D. DeRoeve. She is the devoted mother of Christine Clancy and Eric Gerstenberg of Boston, Peter DeRoeve Jr. of Plymouth, Joseph and Jessica DeRoeve of Charlestown, and Nicole and James Werman of Maine. She is the loving Nuna of Kyleigh, Joel, Sean, James, Abigail, and Emery. She is the beloved sister of Elizabeth (Barnes) and Peter Golden of Charlestown, Joseph and Susan Barnes of Medford, Stephen and Chris Barnes of Braintree, and Patricia (Barnes) and Don Evanson of Washington State. She is the loving niece of Robert, Judy, and Barbara Evers.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Kathy’s Celebration of Life on Thursday, November 4, 2021 from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. with a Prayer Service at 1 P.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. Her burial will then take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Kathy’s name to: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift.