Kathleen T. Connors

Kathleen (Kathy) T. Connors, 79, of Wakefield, passed into eternal rest after a brief illness on Tuesday, October 13 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

Kathy was born in Cambridge, MA on September 11, 1947 to the late James and Marie (Forrest) Stanton of Winthrop. The eldest of three, Kathy was a natural caregiver who found her calling in nursing. After graduating from St. Rose’s High School in Chelsea, MA, she continued on to become an LPN at the Soldiers Home School of Practical Nursing in Chelsea. Kathy married her high school sweetheart, the late Francis X. Connors of Stoneham, MA, in 1969. Together, they raised two daughters who remained at the heart of Kathy’s life. In the years that followed, Kathy found love and companionship with Robert (Bob) Rollins, with whom she shared 20 years of her life. They enjoyed trips to Maine and visits to state fairs, making memories along the way.

Kathy was a proud and compassionate nurse. After raising her family, she returned to nursing school at Regis College to earn her RN, continuing to grow in a profession she loved as she welcomed her grandchildren. Over the years, she cared for people of all ages and abilities in a variety of settings, from the nursery at Malden Hospital to the Northshore Education Consortium, where she worked with individuals with disabilities. She often said that working with children with special needs brought her the greatest joy in her professional life. While Kathy very clearly adored her daughters, it was no secret that her three grandchildren and granddog held the keys to her heart. They were truly her greatest pride and joy.

Kathy was kind, funny, whimsical, independent and as determined as could be. She had a gift for conversation and loved music and dancing. She also had a distinctive sense of style with a flair that was both adorable and delightfully eccentric. She was quick with a joke right up until the very end.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend who brought joy to so many.

She is survived by her two daughters, Kristi Connors-Taylor and her husband William of Reading, MA and Kerri Brophy and her husband Donald of Melrose, MA her three grandchildren; Connor, Kiera and Kendall Brophy of Melrose, her brother James Stanton and his wife Kathy of Salem, New Hampshire, her nieces and nephews and her grand dog, Spree. Kathy was predeceased by her sister Marie “Debbie” Bastarache and her husband Steven of Chelmsford.

Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave, Wakefield on Sunday, October 18 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham on Monday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.