Catherine E. Kent

Catherine (Cathy) E. Kent, 91, of Taplin Hill Road, was surrounded by her children when she slipped into our Lord’s arms on December 16, 2023, having suffered from sudden cardiac illness. Cathy was born in Boston, MA on October 1, 1932, the fourth daughter of Denis and Ella (Sullivan) Mullins of Jamaica Plain. She graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 1950, where she was a co-captain for the women’s varsity basketball team. After several years of caring for her ailing mother, Cathy’s abiding interest in health care led her to apply to Boston's Laboure School of Nursing, where she was accepted into their Associates Degree program. Upon graduation from nursing school in 1956, Cathy was employed as a floor nurse at Carney Hospital in Boston when she met the love of her life, Charles J. Kent of Brockton, MA, a wartime patient who asked if she was a heavenly angel sent to care for him. In fact, Cathy was to become Charlie's lifetime angel, and they were subsequently married on June 27, 1959, and chose to make their home in Brockton, MA. As a young wife, Cathy continued her career at Carney for a time, and later worked closer to home with the elderly and as an elementary school nurse. Cathy especially enjoyed her work with the Primary Care team at Pearl Street Medical in Brockton, a job from which she ultimately chose to retire in 1995. Despite her career accomplishments, Cathy's abiding focus was her husband and family. She and Charlie often took their four kids camping on Cape Cod, and later spent many “summer vacations” at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire, creating a wealth of lifetime memories for all. Their love for the Cape caused Charlie and Cathy to move from Brockton to Harwich, MA in 1996, where they enjoyed their early retirement years together and with family. In 2008, they chose to make their last and final residential move northward, to Corinth, VT, to join their eldest daughter, Mary, to enjoy Vermont’s green mountains. Throughout her life, Cathy was passionate about her Catholic faith and her mission to share its teachings with others. She and Charlie taught Faith Formation and Marriage Encounter at St. Edward’s Parish in Brockton for many years. During her retirement years, she continued her service to the church as a Eucharistic Minister at Holy Redeemer in Chatham, MA, and at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bradford, VT. Catherine was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Charles J. Kent, as well as three of her four sisters, Pauline Mullins, Noreen Mullins and Martha (Fran) Francis. She is survived by her youngest sister, Helen Cunniff, of Bradenton, FL. She is also survived by her son, Charles J Kent, Jr. (and his wife, Natalie) of Holliston, MA, as well as her three daughters: Mary Kent of Corinth, VT; Ellen Chrysogelos (and her husband, John) of Orleans, MA; and Christine Piekarski (and her husband, Peter) of Harwich, MA. Cathy was “Nana” to her six loving grandchildren: Daniel and Marissa Donovan, Camille and Genevieve Kent, and Nicholas and Emily Chrysogelos; and was also adored by her many nieces/nephews and their spouses. Calling hours will be held at Hale Funeral Home, 187 Upper Plain, Bradford, VT, on Wednesday, December 20th, 2023, from 1-3pm. Immediately following, a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bradford, VT at 4pm. All are invited to attend. Final interment will be conducted on a future date at Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph, VT, alongside her husband, Charles J. Kent, who was wounded in the Korean War. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Corinth Volunteer Fire Department / Fast Squad, PO Box 294, East Corinth, VT 05040 Arrangements are in the care of Hale Funeral Home, 187 Upper Plain in Bradford Vt. Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at: www.halefuneralhomes.com

Tributes

Catherine E. Kent

October 1, 1932 - December 16, 2023