Obituary of Kathleen Waters

Kathleen (Dillon) “Kathy” Waters, a woman of strength, dignity, compassion, and love, passed away on Thursday afternoon, March 24, 2016. Kathy left this world peacefully and on her own terms with her family and dear friends by her side after a 9 year battle with Multiple Myeloma. She had just turned 59 years old. Kathy was born in Cambridge. She was one of five children born to the late Bill and Eleanor Dillon. Kathy was a graduate of Burlington High Class of 1975 and just attended her 40th reunion in November. Kathy’s attendance at the reunion made the evening so special for her former classmates. Kathy was born to be a mother. Even as a high school student she always had a nurturing nature. Kathy took on a maternal role to her two younger sisters, Jean and Mary. It wasn’t unusual for Kathy to sew matching dresses for them or to spend an afternoon taking them shopping or to the movies. This prepared Kathy for her most fulfilling role in life, that of a mother. Kathy was a woman of strong substance and meaning. She managed to raise her children and provide for them as a single mother. She was a remarkable woman who was forced to balance being the family provider as well as a “mom.” She went back to school to fulfill her lifelong dream of being a hairdresser. She could not have done this without the incredible support system of her family. Her Dad or “Papa Bill,” as his grandchildren affectionately called him, would pick up the kids each day at the bus stop so Kathy could attend school and work to provide for his grandbabies. Kathy went to work for Fantasy Hair Design in Woburn for 25 years. Her co-workers and clients were family to her with their constant support throughout her life and health challenges. She loved her job, the laughs, and her Fantasy family. Kathy supported her daughter and sons in their interests and activities. She was their biggest fan at their recitals, baseball and basketball games. She was very proud to see her children grow into adulthood and the wonderful paths each have chosen in their lives. Kathy also had a special relationship with her nieces, nephews and her children’s friends. They all considered her a mom, and lovingly referred to her as “Mom Waters.” Kathy was blessed to see the birth of her granddaughters. They brought Kathy an incredible amount of joy these last few years. She was a devoted Grammy and if you were one of the lucky ones, you would receive her Christmas card with a picture of Kathy and her grandbabies. Recently, Kathy and her family enjoyed a special trip together. It was her wish to be in Disney World with her children and grandchildren. Her dear friends, Mike and Lyn McGarry, made that wish happen. They all made memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. Kathy faced her greatest challenge nine years ago when she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. She never let the disease define or consume her and instead was an inspiration to everyone as she fought the battle. She always had a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She constantly wanted to ask about “you” and how you and your family were doing. It was never about her illness or her challenges. Kathy’s daughter created a Care Page to help her deal with the new journey and to find support from others with the disease. Kathy made many MM friends around the country, and spent a lot of time talking, supporting, and getting to know them. Though Kathy was devastated by her own diagnosis, she would often question how cancer could happen to children. She would read the heartbreaking stories of children dealing with illnesses, and would immediately reach out to their families. These children lovingly became &quote;her kids.&quote; Kathy requested her family to no longer exchange gifts at Christmas, and instead buy gifts for these children fighting their own battles. Her family spent the holidays wrapping and sending gifts all over the US. Though Kathy couldn't make &quote;her kids&quote; sicknesses go away, she was able to provide them one happy moment to “just be a kid.” She never advertised that she did this because it wasn't for her to feel good or receive credit. She just felt the pain of each of these children, and just wanted to make them smile. Kathy will be remembered as a loving and supportive woman who touched many lives, especially her children. She was their mom, dad and their biggest fan. Kathy was the beloved and proud mother of Christina MacDonald & her husband Scott of Billerica, Bill Waters & his wife Stephanie of Carver and Michael Waters of Burlington. Devoted Grammy of Sophia, Tessa & the late Alexa. Loving sister of Daniel Dillon of Merrimack, NH, Jean King of Billerica, William Dillon of Merrimack, NH & Mary Gentile of North Andover. Auntie of Courtney, Rachael & Frankie Gentile, Justin, Dylan & Jillian King and Meagan Dillon. Also survived by many friends. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, March 30 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials’ in Kathy’s name may be made to Trisomy 18 Foundation, 4401 Cheshire Station Plaza, Suite 157, Dale City, VA 22193 Family Remembrance by Michael Waters Good Morning everyone, On behalf of my family, we Thank you for joining us in celebrating our Mother’s life. As many of you may already know, my name is Michael, Kathy’s youngest child. My mom wore many hats throughout her life. She was not only a mom, but she also took on the role of a dad, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Grandmother, Best Friend and Hair stylist. About a decade ago, my mom received devastating news right after her “fabulous fiftieth” birthday. My mom was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in May 2007. For nine years she battled through treatment after treatment but always had a positive outlook. During her nine year struggle, she never let cancer define who she was. My sister and brother will agree with me when I say “driving mom to treatments was like driving Ms. Daisy into town”. Walking the halls of Mass General was like walking the red carpet for my Mom. We were more like security guards to a local celebrity. All of my Mom’s doctors and nurses stopped what they were doing and would smile from ear to ear when my mom walked into her appointment. She would always ask the doctors and nurses how their day was going and never made the appointment about her. We would like to thank all MGH staff especially Dr. Raje, Nurse Jill and Nurse Stephanie for all their hard work and friendship towards my mom. You gave her many more memories to spend with her family and that meant the world to her. Family defined who my mom was. Mom Waters was not only a mom to us; she was also a mother to all our friends. The annual Waters family Christmas party was my Mom’s favorite event and everyone always looked forward to attending our crazy themed party. We will always remember my Mom making her famous “Chicken Salad” and parading us up and down Francis Wyman Road with her tambourine in hand singing Christmas carols at Midnight. The Yankee swap was always entertaining and thanks to Dan Madden, my mom banned all live animals as gifts. She was always the life of the party and just wanted family and friends to always have a good time. Mom, you will always have number one choice in the Yankee Swap at the Waters family Christmas party.   Since my mom was not a fan of live gerbils or lobsters on ice, she started another family tradition which demonstrates how much she cared about giving to other people without recognition. My sister Christina created a care page to help mom cope by finding support from other patients with this horrible disease. My mom would read the heartbreaking stories of children dealing with these illnesses and would immediately reach out to their families. Rather than exchanging gifts to other family members on Christmas, she requested our family to buy gifts for children battling cancer. For my mom, this was therapeutic and she just wanted the children to smile and forget about the disease even if for just one moment. Mom, you have made many kids smile and we hope to continue carrying this tradition on in your honor. One of Mom’s wishes was to bring the entire family to Disney World. Her good friends Mike and Lynn McGarry helped her make that wish come true a year ago. Mom was such a trooper, motor scootering through the parks and running over all of our feet and never complaining once about being tired. We could never thank you enough for giving that gift of a last family vacation that we will never forget and always being there for her when she needed a friend. My mom’s greatest passion in life was being a “Grammy” for her three angels: Sophia, Tessa and the late Alexa. Grammy always found time even when she wasn’t feeling her best to spend every minute she could with the girls. She would trek down to Carver, feeling well or not to take her famous “weekend trips” which lasted more like a week-long vacation. My mom was the spitting image of her Dad “Papa Bill” always putting the people she loved first. We will always make sure that Sophia and Tessa never forget their loving Grammy. The girls knocked me down a few pegs on mom’s list of favorite people… Thanks Steph and Bill. Her baby Lily which is her dog took the place as mom’s baby which she reminded me the last few weeks. Corona, who is Bill and Steph’s dog, also knocked everyone down a few notches. Holding strong on the bottom of the list will always be Bill-Mike, Mike- Bill.   My mom was a very stubborn woman and always wanted things done under her own terms. Early in her diagnosis, she had a stem cell transplant on Valentine’s Day. Despite hospital personnel telling her makeup was not allowed, my mother insisted on wearing her favorite “red lipstick”. One other thing my mother always insisted on was having her daughter Christina by her side for all major appointments. Christina was my mom’s rock and best friend. My mother wouldn’t have had the strength the last few weeks without my sister’s calming demeanor and courage. You will always have a special place in mom’s heart; I know she would thank you for everything you had done for her. One more thing, I may need you to rub my feet after this over.   Over the last few days my family and I talked about the best memories of my mother. One of these memories was the coordinated Christmas outfits for the annual Christmas card. This was always quite the ordeal to get all three children dressed, quiet and smiling. The end result would be Chrissy with her eyes closed, Bill looking constipated and me crying. Despite the hassle, my mom continued this yearly tradition in hopes her children would eventually cooperate. We are sorry that we could never figure this out for you. My mom was also very fond of her crazy hairstyles and we were her guinea pigs. My poor sister had bangs from ear to ear. Bill had lightning bolts across the sides of his head and a rat tail down his back. I looked like Sonic the Hedgehog with the sharpest spikes in Burlington. We are very thankful that she moved on to more appropriate styles. Mom, we are truly honored to be your children, we are thankful for everything you have done for us. Your courage, determination, strength, heart, no quit attitude and your generosity are just a few of your amazing qualities that made you so special. We will continue to carry on your tradition of kindness towards others and always helping others. All we ask from you is to watch over us and have the biggest batch of Chicken Salad for when we meet again. We love you Mom.