Katherine A. Clark

Katherine “Kay” Clark

Coordinator of St. Patrick’s Tours

Katherine “Kay” (McColgan) Clark of Stoneham died peacefully on January 8, 2026, at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington. She was 91 years old. Born and raised in Medford, MA, she was the daughter of the late James and Grace (McLaughlin) McColgan from County Donegal, Ireland. Kay was the wife of the late Edward T. Clark, mother of six children and three deceased angels, and also a grandmother.

Shortly after their marriage in 1956, Kay and Ed bought a very, very old broken-down farmhouse in Stoneham and became members of St. Patrick’s Parish. Kay became an active volunteer during the years their children attended St. Patrick’s School. She was President of St. Patrick’s Mothers Club for two terms, 1979-1981. Under her leadership with her husband and a great team of people, the first kindergarten of the school was started and has continued with great success to this day. Also, the Lenten Luncheons were established, and again with a great team, served over one hundred people each week, using Mother’s Club china which her husband would carry home in milk crates, spend the rest of the day washing them in his dishwasher and returning them back to the school hall! The delicious soups, main courses, and desserts were all homemade by parents!

Kay was chairwoman of the “Christmas & Gift” table at the famous Christmas Fair for many years. Under the guidance of the late Fr. John Mark Hannon, Kay was Coordinator of St. Patrick’s Tours for over twenty-four years where many people from all over the state and beyond enjoyed traveling around the country and the world making wonderful memories and many friends. Kay was a very active Girl Scout leader for Troop #416 for many years and a Den Leader for the Cub Scouts.

Kay graduated from St. James School in Medford, and from Matignon High School, Cambridge in 1952, and retired from A.W. Chesterton Company in 1997. Over the years, Kay and Ed opened their house and home to anyone who needed “a room at the inn,” and there were many. In retirement, they spent their time minding their precious grandchildren, “building memories,” and traveling around the world as guides for St. Patrick’s Tours, making certain that every guest on the trip was comfortable and happy.

In the last several years of her life, Kay overcame many health issues. Her strength and perseverance helped her overcome these obstacles, along with the help from her son, a good friend, and Jesus and Mother Mary.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham on Tuesday, January 13 at 10am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Stoneham. Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald-Finnegan-Anderson Funeral Home, Stoneham.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic TV, PO Box 9196, Watertown, MA 02471, or to St. Patrick’s Parish, 71 Central St., Stoneham, MA 02180 or a cancer organization or Veteran’s organization of your choice.