Obituary for Kathleen M. Greene
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Newton and Lincoln resident Kathleen Ellen (Kay) McGarrahan Greene, 91, died peacefully January 3, 2022, leaving behind her four children and their families. Born in 1930 to the late Kathleen Julia Ryan and Dr. John C. McGarrahan, Kay grew up with her late brother John in Cohoes, New York. She attended School of the Sacred Heart with her lifelong friend Janet (English) Hans. She graduated from Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart and went on to receive her master’s degree in biochemistry from Brandeis University. She then worked in a medical lab at Boston University for Dr. Nancy Bucher, who became a long-time friend. While in Boston, she met the love of her life, Bob Greene, whom she
married in 1959. They were married for 23 years until his death in 1982. Soon after, Kay completed her master’s in teaching at Boston College and taught science at Regis College and UMass Boston. Her love of science and service continued into retirement, with her work as a docent for visiting students at
Drumlin Farm in Concord, Mass., and as a volunteer family liaison in the Emerson Hospital PACU for 15 years.
Adored by her family, including her children, 5 grandchildren, 2 godchildren, and many cousins, Kay was an outdoors enthusiast and sportswoman who loved hiking, canoeing, birding, tennis, golf, and skiing, especially cross country. Animals, especially dogs, were her favorite, and she was beloved by all 6 of her
“quot;grandoggers” She loved to sing and call out to the birds, especially loons. She also shared a love of travel with friends and family, visiting Europe, Ireland, China, Bermuda, Alaska, Florida, Cape Cod, and Maine and beyond. When not outside, she was an avid learner, a reader of science, theology, and mysteries, and a lover of crossword puzzles. Kay also developed a love of theater especially musical theater, during her time in NYC. She was a longtime subscriber to Boston Symphony Orchestra and theaters including the Huntington and the SpeakEasy Stage Company.
Kay enjoyed time with her friends, loving to banter, laugh, and explore. She had a special group of “ladies” with whom she would check in each morning and gather for fun occasions. Recognized for her kind and caring heart, Kay was very loving and was always ready to reach out to anyone suffering or lonely. The Roman Catholic faith was her spiritual foundation, and her scientific views allowed for liberal and accepting views of the world. She was always there when her family and friends needed her and was always ready to make everyone feel better.
Kay will also be remembered dearly for her kindness, generosity of spirit, hospitality, her wonderful sense of quick dry wit, and an inexhaustive love of Dewars! She is known for her “Grammy finger,” a shaking pointer finger that always made her grandkids laugh.
Kay is survived by her children Kate and her husband David Brower, Tracy and her husband Eric Sharakan, Missy Greene, and Bob Greene, as well as her grandchildren Robby, Kathleen, Benjamin, Christopher, and Laurel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Drumlin Farm
(https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/drumlin- farm/support) and/or The Sisters of Saint Joseph (https://www.csjboston.org/ways-to-give/make-a-gift).
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Bernard Parish in West Newton, Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment in Newton Cemetery. Due to the current pandemic conditions, no wake will be held
Newton and Lincoln resident Kathleen Ellen (Kay) McGarrahan Greene, 91, died peacefully January 3, 2022, leaving behind her four children and their families. Born in 1930 to the late Kathleen Julia Ryan and Dr. John C. McGarrahan, Kay grew up with her late brother John in Cohoes, New York. She attended School of the Sacred Heart with her lifelong friend Janet (English) Hans. She graduated from Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart and went on to receive her master’s degree in biochemistry from Brandeis University. She then worked in a medical lab at Boston University for Dr. Nancy Bucher, who became a long-time friend. While in Boston, she met the love of her life, Bob Greene, whom she
married in 1959. They were married for 23 years until his death in 1982. Soon after, Kay completed her master’s in teaching at Boston College and taught science at Regis College and UMass Boston. Her love of science and service continued into retirement, with her work as a docent for visiting students at
Drumlin Farm in Concord, Mass., and as a volunteer family liaison in the Emerson Hospital PACU for 15 years.
Adored by her family, including her children, 5 grandchildren, 2 godchildren, and many cousins, Kay was an outdoors enthusiast and sportswoman who loved hiking, canoeing, birding, tennis, golf, and skiing, especially cross country. Animals, especially dogs, were her favorite, and she was beloved by all 6 of her
“quot;grandoggers” She loved to sing and call out to the birds, especially loons. She also shared a love of travel with friends and family, visiting Europe, Ireland, China, Bermuda, Alaska, Florida, Cape Cod, and Maine and beyond. When not outside, she was an avid learner, a reader of science, theology, and mysteries, and a lover of crossword puzzles. Kay also developed a love of theater especially musical theater, during her time in NYC. She was a longtime subscriber to Boston Symphony Orchestra and theaters including the Huntington and the SpeakEasy Stage Company.
Kay enjoyed time with her friends, loving to banter, laugh, and explore. She had a special group of “ladies” with whom she would check in each morning and gather for fun occasions. Recognized for her kind and caring heart, Kay was very loving and was always ready to reach out to anyone suffering or lonely. The Roman Catholic faith was her spiritual foundation, and her scientific views allowed for liberal and accepting views of the world. She was always there when her family and friends needed her and was always ready to make everyone feel better.
Kay will also be remembered dearly for her kindness, generosity of spirit, hospitality, her wonderful sense of quick dry wit, and an inexhaustive love of Dewars! She is known for her “Grammy finger,” a shaking pointer finger that always made her grandkids laugh.
Kay is survived by her children Kate and her husband David Brower, Tracy and her husband Eric Sharakan, Missy Greene, and Bob Greene, as well as her grandchildren Robby, Kathleen, Benjamin, Christopher, and Laurel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Drumlin Farm
(https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/drumlin- farm/support) and/or The Sisters of Saint Joseph (https://www.csjboston.org/ways-to-give/make-a-gift).
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Bernard Parish in West Newton, Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment in Newton Cemetery. Due to the current pandemic conditions, no wake will be held