MILLBURY – Kathleen M. (McMenemy) Cristo of Millbury passed away with dignity on January 7 in her home surrounded by her loving family, after a ten year courageous battle with Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy. Kay had recently celebrated her 75th birthday with her family. Kathleen's husband of 51 years, Thomas N. Cristo passed away last April. She leaves behind her son Jude T. Cristo and his wife Sandra of Millbury, two daughters (Kay's primary care givers); Darlene M. Papalardo and her husband Robert of Millbury and her youngest daughter Hollie K. Finne and her husband Scott of North Brookfield. In addition Kay leaves: her twin grandchildren; Jennifer and Zachary Finne of North Brookfield; three extended grandchildren; Brenda Filiere and her husband Michael of Shrewsbury, Cynthia Romeo and her husband Mario of Millbury and Robert Papalardo II of Chicopee; as well as five extended great grandchildren; Kailey, Mikey, Antonio, Emma, and Nina.
Kathleen was born on December 29, 1934 in Worcester to the late William D. and Ruby (Hall Richardson) McMenemy; she was the youngest of nine children. Kay was extremely proud of her Irish and English heritage and had a very happy childhood. She leaves behind her sister Eleanor B. Remillard of Sebring, Florida and a brother Donald E. Poole of Attleboro. Three sisters; Betty Poole, Norma M. Berry, and Marion C. Boyle predeceased her. Three brothers; Ralph B., Forrest P., and Elmo T. Poole also predeceased her. Aunt Kay also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who she enjoyed, cherished, and loved.
Kathleen was a graduate of St. Peter's High School in Worcester. After high school Kay worked as a Secretary at Norton Company and Lusignan Brothers in Worcester. After marrying Tom, Kay became a homemaker raising her three children while taking care of all the bookkeeping for the family businesses. Later she went back to school and became a licensed Cosmetologist, joining her husband at the Diplomat Beauty Salon in Millbury. Prior to retirement, Kay and Tom also co-owned and operated 7th Avenue Women's Apparel, Diplomat House of Carpets & Wallpaper, Best Price Carpet, and Cristo's Rentals.
Kathleen was a strong willed, kind, caring, and loving woman who loved life and people. She always saw the best in people and always had a positive attitude when dealing with life's trials and tribulations. She will be in her family's hearts forever. Kay was an avid shopper who enjoyed spending her leisure time with family and friends. Kathleen was a long time member of the Millbury Women's Club. She loved to take her family on vacations and cruises to the Caribbean and Central and South America. She also enjoyed annual family vacations to Marco Island, Gloucester, Cape Cod and Hampton Beach. In 2009 Kay & Tom took their immediate family on a wonderful vacation to Jamaica.
The family would like to thank all of the hospice team for their wonderful care and support including; Kay's Nurse Linda, and the rest of the hospice team; Pam, Paula, Michael, Flo, and Dr. Gallagher. In addition, special thanks to her primary care Dr. John Solomindes of UMass and Dr. Diana Apetaurevoa of the Lahey Clinic for their many years of care.
Kathleen's funeral will be held Tuesday, January 12 from Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main St., Millbury with a concelebrated Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1290 Grafton St, Worcester. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 11 at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Brigid Cemetery, Millbury. Memorial donations may be made in Kay's name to the Dorothy Pond Watershed Association, 7 Warren St. Millbury, MA 01527 or UMASS Memorial Hospice C/O UMASS Memorial Foundation PO Box 2795 Worcester, MA 01613-9938.
Read Kathleen Cristo's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
Kathleen was born on December 29, 1934 in Worcester to the late William D. and Ruby (Hall Richardson) McMenemy; she was the youngest of nine children. Kay was extremely proud of her Irish and English heritage and had a very happy childhood. She leaves behind her sister Eleanor B. Remillard of Sebring, Florida and a brother Donald E. Poole of Attleboro. Three sisters; Betty Poole, Norma M. Berry, and Marion C. Boyle predeceased her. Three brothers; Ralph B., Forrest P., and Elmo T. Poole also predeceased her. Aunt Kay also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who she enjoyed, cherished, and loved.
Kathleen was a graduate of St. Peter's High School in Worcester. After high school Kay worked as a Secretary at Norton Company and Lusignan Brothers in Worcester. After marrying Tom, Kay became a homemaker raising her three children while taking care of all the bookkeeping for the family businesses. Later she went back to school and became a licensed Cosmetologist, joining her husband at the Diplomat Beauty Salon in Millbury. Prior to retirement, Kay and Tom also co-owned and operated 7th Avenue Women's Apparel, Diplomat House of Carpets & Wallpaper, Best Price Carpet, and Cristo's Rentals.
Kathleen was a strong willed, kind, caring, and loving woman who loved life and people. She always saw the best in people and always had a positive attitude when dealing with life's trials and tribulations. She will be in her family's hearts forever. Kay was an avid shopper who enjoyed spending her leisure time with family and friends. Kathleen was a long time member of the Millbury Women's Club. She loved to take her family on vacations and cruises to the Caribbean and Central and South America. She also enjoyed annual family vacations to Marco Island, Gloucester, Cape Cod and Hampton Beach. In 2009 Kay & Tom took their immediate family on a wonderful vacation to Jamaica.
The family would like to thank all of the hospice team for their wonderful care and support including; Kay's Nurse Linda, and the rest of the hospice team; Pam, Paula, Michael, Flo, and Dr. Gallagher. In addition, special thanks to her primary care Dr. John Solomindes of UMass and Dr. Diana Apetaurevoa of the Lahey Clinic for their many years of care.
Kathleen's funeral will be held Tuesday, January 12 from Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main St., Millbury with a concelebrated Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1290 Grafton St, Worcester. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 11 at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Brigid Cemetery, Millbury. Memorial donations may be made in Kay's name to the Dorothy Pond Watershed Association, 7 Warren St. Millbury, MA 01527 or UMASS Memorial Hospice C/O UMASS Memorial Foundation PO Box 2795 Worcester, MA 01613-9938.
Read Kathleen Cristo's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
A service summary is not available