Katherine A. (Coughlin) Reardon

Reardon, Katherine A. (Coughlin), age 76, of Fitchburg, MA, passed away peacefully on September 21st 2023 at Sunrise Senior Living Center. Kathy was surrounded by loving family and friends in her final days.  

Kathy was born in Pittsfield, MA to Margaret Masterson. She was lovingly adopted by Francis and Ruth (Ellsworth) Coughlin, of Fitchburg. Kathy remained a Fitchburg resident all of her life.

She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Fitchburg State College and began her teaching career in Gardner, MA. After time off to raise 3 children, Kathy returned to teaching in Fitchburg at McKay Elementary School. She completed her days as an educator in Fitchburg when she retired from Reingold Elementary School.

Throughout her life, Kathy had a strong Catholic faith with her love of God as her main focus. She was an active member of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Leominster as well as St. Bernard’s Parish in Fitchburg and more recently St. Bernard’s Parish at St. Camillus de Lellis Church, frequently participating in services as well as being a member of the choir. 

Kathy loved traveling. Trips to Ireland and Italy were amongst her favorite. However, her happiest place of all was her summer home at Sea-Vu Campground in Wells, Maine. She spent every summer in Maine joined by family and friends. The beach, a game, good food and plenty of laughter were part of your stay. Kathy passionately loved playing all types of games - cards, cribbage, solitaire, dominoes, bingo and any type of board game. 

Kathy spent many days volunteering with organizations she loved. She was a lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts of America where she was given the nickname “Irish”. She was a past president of the Friends of the Fitchburg Public Library, a member of the Irish American Association, Friends of Coggshall Park and the Lions Club. Winters found Kathy volunteering at the Fitchburg Senior Center and summers volunteering at the Wells Ogunquit Senior Center in Maine.   

Kathy leaves behind three children: Michael J. Reardon of Fitchburg, Nancy R. Aguiar of Northborough, Tracy L. Reardon of Leominster and her former husband Jack Reardon of Pennsylvania.  Kathy is survived by a granddaughter Jennifer Jones of Franklin and 3 grandsons: Michael J. Reardon, Jr. of Fitchburg, Brian A. Newell of Ashburnham, Brandon Meehan of Franklin and great grandson Carter Reardon of Winchendon. She also leaves behind her sister Nancy (Coughlin) Zawadzki and husband David of California. She will be missed by sisters-in-law, Peggy Killeen of Westboro, Judy Kelley of Hingham and many nieces and nephews. 

Kathy was unable to meet her birth mother Margaret Masterson before she passed away. 

However, she experienced the great joy of meeting her birth mother’s family. She acquired a half-brother Pat LaRosa and his wife Linda of California, and 3 half-sisters; Deborah Oatman of North Dakota, Mary Riggle and her husband Ivan and Angela Black and her husband Alan both of Pennsylvania. All of her half siblings were welcoming and loving. Margaret’s husband, Pat LaRosa, now deceased, shared stories so she could get to know her birth mother. Truly, a blessed experience. 

Kathy’s family wishes to thank all the caregivers at Sunrise Senior Living Center in Leominster. They took loving/exceptional care of their mother for the past 2 years. Everyone treated Kathy with respect and like family. Family members are eternally grateful for the facilities support in this difficult time. They are also appreciative for the excellent care their Mother received from Lisa Cormier and her UMass Health Alliance Hospice Team as well as the tremendous support given to the family in her final weeks. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during visiting hours on Sunday, September 24th, from 2-5 PM at the Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster, MA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard’s Parish at St. Camillus de Lellis Church, 333 Mechanic St., Fitchburg on Monday Sept. 25th at 11AM. Burial in St. Bernard’s Cemetery will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kathy may be made to St. Bernard’s Elementary School, 254 Summer St., Fitchburg, MA 01420.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Katherine A. (Coughlin) Reardon, please visit our Tree Store.