Obituary of Catherine R. McKim

Catherine R. (Lavoie) McKim, Burlington Town Clerk 1969-1985, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday morning, February 13, 2013. The beloved wife of the late James J. McKim, she was 95 years old. Kay was born and raised in Wilmington. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Alphonsine Lavoie. Kay was a 1935 Graduate of Wilmington High School. She graduated from Cambridge City Hospital Nurses Training School in 1939 as a Registered Nurse. She worked at Winchester Hospital and later as Nursing Supervisor at Choate Hospital in Woburn. Kay and her family lived in Billerica from 1952-1956, before settling in Burlington in 1956 raising her family and being an active participant in the community. She worked as Nursing Supervisor of Obstetrics at the Choate Hospital from 1962 – 1967. In 1968, Kay’s life drastically changed with the passing of her husband “Joe.” She was the mother of 3 teenage girls and now the sole provider for her family. Her career took a turn into politics as she was appointed interim Town Clerk in 1969 and then subsequently running for election to remain Town Clerk of Burlington a seat which she held until her retirement in 1985. She was well respected within the Town as well as amongst her peers. Kay was a woman of great faith, devotion for her family, and concern for her neighbors and friends. She was an active supporter of St. Margaret’s Church. She had devotions to St. Anthony and St. Jude and often prayed for the well being of her family and friends. She shared her faith with her children as well as her grandchildren. She also strongly believed in supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She was the matriarch of her family always there to lend a helping hand, offer advice or a sympathetic ear. She was always available to watch a grandchild and kept a tradition of family Sunday dinners. She was not only a mother to her daughters, but a friend as well. Her kindness and friendship extended to her neighbors as well. All her friends knew they could call up with a health emergency or question. Kay had a number of interests and activities. She was quite the Bridge player. Kay had a wonderful sense of humor and could be counted on for a joke in many occasions. In her later years, she became world traveler. She visited China, Hong Kong, Spain, England, Ireland, Italy, all over the United States, and after retirement even returning to winter in Portugal for many years. Kay had a “Heart of Gold” and her memory will live in all the hearts of those she touched in her 95 years. Kay was the beloved wife of the late James Joseph McKim. She was the loving mother of Kathleen Ladanyi & her husband Robert of Magnolia, Eileen Rogers & her husband Edward of Burlington and Virginia Bucknam & her husband Robert of Burlington. Sister of Mary McHugh-Conklin of Melbourne, FL and the late Helen Lee-Shuping, Harriett Burbine, Louise Bell, and Lydia Harrison-White. Grandmother of Nicole Driscoll & her husband Brian of South Hamilton, Shaun Curtin of Los Angeles, CA, Leigh Spignese & her husband Brian and Amanda & Victoria Bucknam of Burlington. Great grandmother of Patrick & Lyla Kay Driscoll. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, Feb. 16 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 Friday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Memorials in Kay’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.