GLOUCESTER: Catherine M. “Kay” (Friend) McKechnie, 87, died early Thursday morning, March 13, 2014. She was the beloved wife of Robert E. McKechnie. Born in Gloucester on February 24, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Roscoe and Catherine (Stack) Friend. She was a lifelong resident and graduate of Gloucester High School class of 1945.
Catherine enjoyed being an active mom and grandmother, but also had a vibrant business career. She enjoyed cheering her sons and grandchildren in their various activities whether it was baseball, plays, or scouting. She was a 60+ year member of Trinity Congregational Church serving on the deaconate, choir, Keenagers, and women’s fellowship. She was also active in the Elks where she serves two terms as chaplain, and a member of Eastern Star.
Her business career started with the Gloucester Electric Company and then she worked for years as an Optician Assistant. Nicknamed “Mother Varian” by her co-workers, Catherine was an early hire for the fledgling new company, Varian. She spent 16 years handling the global travel for the executives of the fast growing technology company and was beloved by her co-workers for her kindness. She was also active in the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Gloucester serving as its president.
In addition to her husband of sixty-four years, she is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, William E. and Sharon (Yates) McKechnie of Maple Grove, MN, Robert W. and Jennifer (John) McKechnie of Hudson, OH, and David S. and Elaine (Poole) McKechnie of Gloucester; six grandchildren, Mariah, wife of Nick McFadz, Kaitlyn, wife of Scott Nelson, E. Drew McKechnie, R. Derek McKechnie, Connor T. McKechnie and Ryan S. McKechnie; three great-grandchildren, twins, Lily and Josie McFadz and Saydee Lynn Nelson; her sister-in-law, Eleanor McKechnie; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Ellen O’Maley, Virginia Flannagan, Shirley Gemmellaro, Horace “Buddy” Friend, Roscoe “Jack” Friend, and Natalie Anthony, as well as her brother-in-law, Frederick McKechnie.
Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 18th in the morning at Trinity Congregational Church at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17th. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to The Grace Center c/o Trinity Congregational Church, 70 Middle St., Gloucester. Interment will be held privately at The Wesleyan Cemetery.