Obituary of Catherine Kelly

Catherine Virginia Kelly, retired Administrator of the Waterways Division of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, passed away after a brief illness at the Sawtelle Hospice House in Reading on Monday, November 29, 2010. Catherine was born in Boston, the daughter of the late James and Nellie Kelly. She was a graduate of St. John’s High School in Cambridge. She went to work in the public sector when Governor Robert Bradford was in office and retired in 1997 when William Weld was the Governor. She rose up the ranks to become the administrator for the Waterways Division of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. She oversaw rivers, ponds, reservoirs, the Massachusetts coastline and harbors. Any development, dredging, clean-ups and improvements went through her office. She was extensively involved in the beginning of the Boston Harbor and Charles River clean up and the protection of the Quaban Reservoir. She always strove to improve and protect Massachusetts waterways and used all her powers to achieve her goals. She was well respected among her peers, developers, and other environmental agencies. Catherine was fiercely independent. She drove until she was 86 and took care of her home. She traveled with her friends. She was especially fond of Cape Cod and visiting her dearest friend, Marilyn Rapoza. Kitty was a caring sister and a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews. Catherine was the loving Sister of Lillian E. Larson of Burlington and the late Thomas E. Kelly of Somerville. “Aunt Bunny” of Beverly Strachan of Burlington, Karen Morgan of Burlington, Frank Larson, Jr. of Atkinson, NH, Kelly Larson of Burlington, and James Larson of Derry, NH. Also survived by many other nieces, nephews, grand nieces & nephews, cousins and a host of friends. At Catherine’s request services will be private. Memorials in Catherine’s name may be made to the VNA of Middlesex East and Visiting Nurse Hospice, 607 North Ave, Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880. Retired Administrator of the Waterways Division of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.