MALONE, Kathleen Anne, known to many as Kay—or by her iconic license plate, “Peg Cox”—passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the age of 88.
Kathleen was born on September 25, 1937, in West Roxbury to Michael O’Brien and Margaret (Peg Cox) O’Brien. She was preceded in death by her parents and all seven of her siblings.
She has shared an extraordinary 67 years of marriage with the love of her life, Sean F. Malone of Ennis, Ireland—a partnership marked by unwavering devotion, laughter, and deep family bonds. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised a family rooted in faith and love.
Kathleen’s faith was of the utmost importance in her life, as was evidenced by her years spent in the Poor Clares and with the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. This faith served as a guiding light in all she did and sustained her through life’s challenges. It was reflected in the love, kindness, and compassion she showed to everyone around her.
Kathleen was the proud mother of eight children and a cherished grandmother to sixteen grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Loving mother of Christina McInerney and her husband Francis, Scott Malone (BFD) and his wife Robin, Terence Malone, Colleen Cummings and her husband Thomas, Tara Finn and her husband Joseph, all of West Roxbury. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Michael, Stephen and Joseph Malone, Sean Malone, MaryKate Doherty and Delia McInerney, Ryan, Sarah (BPD) and Matthew (BFD) Malone, Brendan Malone, Michaela Corson, Flannan, Fiona, Eamonn and Ronan Finn and her 5 great-grandchildren: Declan, Aidan and Ronan Doherty and Lena and Brayden Corson. Kathleen is also survived by her brother-in-law Patrick Malone and his wife Marie, along with many beloved nieces and nephews and friends that are considered family.
Kay is reunited in heaven with her sons, Michael, Sean, and Brendan Malone, along with her grandson Francis McInerney IV, and many loved family members and dear friends.
Kay was the center of her family’s life, the quintessential matriarch. She was known for welcoming all into her home, especially her kitchen, where constant gatherings were filled with laughter and an abundance of food. Kay and Sean also built a home in Eastham, Mass, a treasured family retreat and the setting for countless cherished memories.
Kathleen will be remembered for her strength, devotion, deep faith, easy laughter, and unshakeable dedication to her family. Her legacy lives on in her devoted husband Sean, the many lives she touched, and the family she loved so deeply.
A wake will be held on Tuesday, January 13th, from 3pm-7pm. at St. Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre St. West Roxbury. Funeral from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St. West Roxbury on Wednesday, January 14th at 10am followed by the Funeral Mass in St. Theresa Church at 11am. To live stream the Funeral Mass, please visit www.sttheresaparishboston.com. Interment Mt. Benedict Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kay’s memory to The Francis C. McInerney IV Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Catholic Memorial High School 235 Baker Street West Roxbury, MA 02132.