Catherine E. "Kay" (Russo) Gallinaro, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2021 at Windrose at Woburn in Woburn, MA where she had been cared for, comforted, and loved. She is the dedicated wife of the late Cosmo F. "Smitty" Gallinaro. Kay is survived by two devoted children; Donna DeFuria of Woburn, and David Gallinaro and his wife Sandra of No. Billerica. She is the loving grandmother of Jason DeFuria and his wife Lydie, and great-grandson Roman. Kay is sister to the late Elissa Comparetti. She is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews, and great grand-nieces and nephews.
"Kay", as she was known to family and friends, was born in Cambridge, MA on August 28, 1935 and was raised in Somerville. Kay graduated from Somerville High School and went on to work as a secretary at Tufts University in Medford. She entered the medical secretary field at the Somerville School of Nursing, managed the office for hand surgeon Dr. Donald McKay, MD of Arlington and Cambridge, for many, many years, and finished her career in the medical industry at Northeast Medical, and Harvard Community Health in Burlington. In her early years, Kay served as an active member of St. Anthony's Woman's Guild of Somerville. She always loved to sing and later joined St. Barbara of Woburn's choir to satisfy her love of music.
Her children will remember her as the heart, soul, and backbone of the family - as a mom who always carried herself with grace, class, and dignity while offering gentle and loving kindness, a word of wisdom, and a voice of experience. Kay was her husband's "bookkeeping silent partner" to his automotive business for over 10 years. She was the "creative silent partner" to her daughter's dance studio business as seamstress, scenery designer, and backstage director for over 20 years. As a mom, her son cherished her as being inspirational, instilling good values in him, and always expressing excitement and encouragement for him through the ups and downs of life; her strong work ethic rubbed off on him. She lovingly embraced her grandson with a caring heart, her true love language was food. She listened to every chapter of his life with attention and was always supportive of him. Kay adored her older sister, Lee, who was also her best friend. Kay's cooking and crafting talents were abundant. She was known for single-handedly preparing holiday meals and showers for friends, was the go-to-person for last-minute hand-made greeting cards and craft designs, and dressed like a fashion diva. She serenaded the family's collie "Pepi" until he sang with her in his howling way. Even when she retired she continued to work in office administrative "Temp" positions; at Christmas-time she personalized ornaments at Lahey Hospital's Gift Shop. Kay embraced her friends like family. She touched the lives of everyone around her; they loved her as much as she loved them. She was spunky and spirited with the residents and staff at Windrose, modestly making her thoughts known by either her infectious smile or a disapproving grimace. In addition to cooking and singing, she loved interior decorating and bringing old furniture back to life, sewing, attending the theater and symphony, and playing Scrabble.
She and her husband "Smitty" scrimped and saved to purchase their Osterville weekend residence and later retirement home that she dubbed their "dream castle". There you could find her spending time at Dowses Beach, gathering shells while walking along the shore, and building sandcastles with her grandson. She was forever weeding the yard, hosting barbeques for the neighbors, decorating, socializing, and enjoying time out on the ocean while boating with both family and friends.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend an hour of visiting at St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church, 851 Main St., Woburn, Thursday, October 21, 2021, From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass beginning at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with graveside prayers at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Masks are requested to be worn at all times per the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452. Arrangements by the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Service of Woburn.