Katherine Carmody Kearns

Devoted To Family,

God, And Career

Katherine “Kate” Carmody Kearns, 89, died peacefully, May 27, at home, surrounded by her family. She was born October 1, 1920, on the “down side” of a two-family house on Sandy Hook Hill (Church Hill Road). She was a lifelong resident of Sandy Hook/Newtown. Mrs Kearns was the daughter of the late Winifred (Osborne) and John Carmody.

In 1926, she moved with her family to the house at Ram Pasture. Her dad was Mary Hawley’s chauffeur, and quite often took Kate and her sister, Sally, for a ride in Miss Hawley’s Pierce-Arrow automobile.

Mrs Kearns graduated from Hawley School in 1938 and from Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing in 1941. She married William “Mike” Kearns in 1949, and together they raised eight children. Over the 30 years of her registered nursing career, she practiced as a private duty nurse caring for patients in Danbury Hospital, area nursing homes, private homes, Fairfield Hills Hospital, and St Rose School. She was an active member in St Rose Church, involved in Mothers Circle and the Rosary Group.

She was an avid reader, enjoyed writing poetry and short stories, drawing, crocheting, playing cards, solving crossword puzzles, growing roses, bird watching, and playing the instant lottery. Mrs Kearns was very interested in her family genealogy and the history of Newtown. Her passions in life were her family, her religion, and her work as a registered nurse.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 61 years, Mike Kearns; their eight children and spouses, Daniel and Tammy Kearns of Newtown, Mary Clark of Sandy Hook, Michael and Carol Kearns of Litchfield, Patrick and Diane Kearns of Southbury, Katherine and David Gaudreau of East Hartford, Joseph and Arlene Kearns of Hollis, N.H., RoseMary and Steven Davis of Tolland, and Doretta and Neil Tarangioli of Bronxville, N.Y.; 19 grandchildren; and her four great-grandchildren. Also surviving Mrs Kearns is her sister, Priscilla “Sally” Carmody; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Alice Carmody Mead, and her brothers, Fred, Barton, and Jack Carmody.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 2. Interment followed in St Rose Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St Rose School, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470 or to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main Street, Danbury CT 06810. To leave an online condolence, visit honanfh.com.

The Newtown Bee        June 4, 2010