Catherine Jeannette Cummings

November 06, 1918 - April 01, 2007

Catherine “Kay” Jeannette Cummings, 88, beloved daughter of the late Mary M. Joyce and James Fiske Chase, passed quietly away April 1, 2007 surrounded by the love of her family.

Catherine leaves her six children: Dr. Joyce E. Cummings, of Foxboro; Cathy A. Thibeault, of Attleboro; Matthew Cummings of South Ponte Verde Beach, Florida; Mary C. Hatcher of Davidsonville, Maryland; Debra Sechrest of Crofton, Maryland and Michael Cummings Esq of Pasadena, Maryland; her twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Catherine was born the year that the Red Sox won the World Series in 1918 and proudly lived to see them win again in 2004. Throughout her life she remained a loyal fan of the Red Sox and, as a young bride, when no one else could, she and a friend managed to get tickets to another World Series game, which the Sox unfortunately lost.

Catherine was born and raised in Dorchester attending St. Gregory’s High School. Upon graduation she studied at Boston Clerical School, but failed to master the penmanship requirement. Always apologetic for the quality of her writing, she attributed it to the effects of her bout with polio as a young child that paralyzed her left side. For more than three years she underwent therapy at home provided by neighbors and family members who volunteered their time. She kept up with school assignments at home with the help of her teachers and family.

As a consequence of her prolonged illness, she developed a lifelong love of books, reading and poetry. Catherine began writing poetry for her children as they reached some special landmark in their lives. At the Massachusetts Hospital School, where she worked from 1970-1984, she became the poet laureate entertaining staff with her daily humorous poems. It was there that she also took up candlepin bowling joining the hospital league. In 1983 she won the first of many trophies, which she proudly displayed before her family.

On a whim she switched her interests to arts and crafts. Without so much as a single art lesson, she bought some brushes and oil paints, and began watching the TV artist. She loved to paint flowers and ocean scenes that now adorn the walls of her children’s homes.

Catherine was a talented humorist, writer and artist, whose gifts have now been silenced.

Funeral Information

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday, April 4, from 4-8 at the Roberts & Sons Funeral Home 30 South Street, Foxboro. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10 AM at the Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Mt. Benedict Cemetery at 409 Corey Street in West Roxbury. To light a candle in Catherine’s memory please visit our web site at www.robertsandsonsfuneral.com.

Donations Information

Donations in Catherine’s memory may be made to the Children of the Massachusetts Hospital School, C/O MHS Board of Trustees, 3 Randolph Street, Canton, MA 02021