Catherine Elizabeth (Peterson) McNamara

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Catherine Elizabeth (Peterson) McNamara. A real saint died in Rhode Island on October 1, 2014, without fanfare, just as she would have it. Catherine was 91 and lived with her husband Bill in a Warwick apartment fashioned for them by their eldest of five sons, Michael McNamara, and his wife, Martha Lynch. Previously Bill and Kay lived in an East Greenwich condo. And prior to that the couple, and family, lived in 26 different locations across the country. They liked exploration and change and found them, along with broadening horizons, in such spots as Tenants Harbor, Maine, Sedona, Arizona, and Malibu, California.

She was the daughter of J. Albert and Mary (Reid) Peterson. Friends and family have been pouring into the Apponaug section of Warwick through September for a final restorative visit with the gentle, strong-willed woman who brought these people together, entertained and cooked for them in times made festive and fun in accordance with her vision and steadfastness through the years.

Kay’s death followed a fall she took a few weeks ago. She was eminently prepared for this passage in her shining life. She had a fine-tuned sense of humor as well as a sense of outrage for the injustices and inequalities in so many lives. From appearances you’d never guess the presence of rage. Her sparkling countenance never registered rage. Rather it seemed always to register peace and tranquility, affection, openness, and wonder. In essence she was an Irish-Swedish-American babushka whose radiance shone brightest in the midst of young ones. She held them close to her heart and read to them from her store of children’s books. Friendship meant much to her. One such friendship, with Barbara Jones Morin, now of Johnston, endured from junior high school in 1930 to today.

Kay’s five sons are Michael, mathematics teacher at La Salle Academy; Kevin, rancher and book-seller in eastern Oregon; Dennis, land surveyor and musician of Corvallis, Oregon; Brian, boat-builder and carpenter of Dartmouth, Massachusetts; and Terrence, school-teacher and sign language interpreter of Corvallis, Oregon. There are 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

“We met. She smiled. Smiles to set your heart dancing. Radiance to make your

eyes blink. Beauty to bend your knees. Composure to render you speechless and duly rendered was I.” (from “Her” in Portland Magazine, University of Portland, Oregon)

Visiting hours Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Rd., Warwick. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesset Road, Warwick.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carolee McNamara Scholarship

Fund, La Salle Academy, 612 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI, 02908, in her memory will be appreciated.