Kathleen M. “Kay” Silkes, (Canty) of Malden formerly of Medford died peacefully Tuesday August 11th surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late John M. Silkes. Born in Medford she was the daughter of the late James and Mary (Dwyer) Canty. Kay graduated from Medford High School with the class of 1945 and immediately began work at New England Telephone as an operator, where she remained for over 44 years until her retirement. Kay was an active member of St. Peter’s Church, and, in later years, the Immaculate Conception Church of Malden. Kay was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, the Catholic Daughters of America, Melrose Garden Club and Immaculate Conception’s “Over 60” Club.
She was the devoted mother of Marie Iapicca of Malden and Susan Silkes of Medford, and the cherished nana of Robert E. Iapicca of Malden. The sister of the late Mary MacDonald, James and Lawrence “Red” Canty, Kay is also survived by her sister-in-law Jean Canty of Burlington, her great- grandniece Isabella “Munchkin” Henderson and many nieces and nephews. She was also the Godmother of the late Harold MacDonald. Relatives & friends are invited to attend her funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden, on Sat. Aug. 15th at 9:30AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the Immaculate Conception Church, Malden at 10:30AM. Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Friday from 4-8PM. Services will conclude with the interment in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.