WESTFIELD – Catherine Ann Harrington (1935-2023) passed peacefully on Friday, June 9th, 2023 at Mary’s Meadow in Holyoke MA. The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided to Catherine by the Visiting Angels, especially Charlene Primavera, as well as the staff at Mary’s Meadow.
Catherine was born in Holyoke MA on May 15th, 1935. She was Valedictorian of the 1953 graduating class of Westfield MA. After high school, she went on to The Springfield Hospital where she graduated from nursing school in 1956. She made lifelong friends at nursing school who have always been a part of our family. Catherine and Edwin Harrington were married on December 27, 1956. They raised three children together and lived in both Westfield MA and Greenfield MA during the next 60 years. While Catherine was working the nurse night shift at Noble Hospital and raising three children, she continued her education. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts’ program: University without Walls. She then went onto Westfield State College where she received her Master’s degree. Catherine was an Allied Health teacher for the Westfield Vocational School and later a guidance counselor at the Smith Vocational School. Catherine retired from her career in 1992 and pursued many interests. She was very active in the First Congregational Church of Westfield MA, including singing in the choir for over 30 years. Catherine volunteered with the local Red Cross Blood Bank, was a member of the Westfield Women’s Club, and was a docent at the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts. She was accepted many times to participate in the Berkshire Choral Festival. She traveled to Europe and Australia to sing with the Westfield Choral Association. Catherine and Pat Reach organized many holiday concerts with the First Congregational Church and the Westfield Choral Association. Catherine and the choral group sang twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Catherine and Edwin traveled to many places together in Europe and often to Reno NV, Lexington MA and Scituate MA to visit their children and grandchildren. They visited Ann and Zeke in Reno during many holidays and loved to go to Lake Tahoe for sailing and kayaking. Catherine and Ann traveled each year together for 10 years throughout the western United States and to Ireland. When the Davies grandchildren came to visit them, there were often costumes involved and time spent at Stanley Park together. Catherine also enjoyed trips to the Cranwell Inn with her daughters for some serious girl time. Catherine loved traveling to Scituate MA to visit her grandchildren and take them to Peggotty Beach where she was buried in sand and walked the beach with the grandchildren.
Catherine is survived by her sister-in-law Kathleen Donoghue, brother-in-law Donald Harrington and sister-in-law Maritza Harrington; her children, Ann (Zeke), Susan (Kevin) and Paul (Nancy); her grandchildren, Kyle and Fiona Davies, Grace, Elizabeth and Daniel Harrington. Catherine also is survived by her nieces and nephews Guy Harrington (Ellyn), Tim Donoghue (Barbie), Maureen Morin and Eileen Clark (William); as well as grandnieces, grandnephews and a great-grandnephew. Catherine is survived by other family members and close friends.
Catherine was predeceased by her husband Edwin Harrington, her parents Catherine Donoghue and John Donoghue and her brother John Donoghue.
Arrangements will be handled by Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St., Westfield, MA. All events will be held on Saturday, July 29th, 2023. Calling hours will be 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. and a graveside service at Pine Hill Cemetery immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts/New Hampshire, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452 or a charity of your choice. www.firtionadams.com
