THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 25, 2025 Page 23 OBITUARIES Kathleen F. ”Kay” Donovan (Philbin) K athleen “Kay” Philbin Donovan, a beloved leader of education in Massachusetts and Maine, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loving family at her home in Arlington, MA, on April 13, after a brief battle with lung cancer. She was 87. Born and raised in Everett, Massachusetts, Kay was the cherished daughter of Irish immigrants, the late Andrew and Mary (Winters) Philbin, and the devoted wife of the late Attorney Richard Donovan of Chelsea, with whom she shared 25 wonderful years of marriage. At a young age, Kay made the selfless decision to forgo medical school aspirations to care for her ailing mother—a choice that shaped a distinguished career in education and a lifetime of service to others. She was a proud graduate of Matignon High School (Class of ’55), Regis College (B.A., cum laude, ’59), and Boston College (M.Ed., ’62). She continued postgraduate studies at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and Bowdoin College. Kay began her career teaching in Chelsea and Everett schools and was the first lay teacher at the Immaculate Conception School. She rose from teacher to administrator in the Everett Public Schools, making history as the district’s first female Superintendent. Guided by her fundamental philosophy that “every child matters,” Kay was a widely recognized and revered leader in education. Her work earned her an invitation from U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neill to speak at the 1983 White House Conference on Education, where she was presented a Certificate of Merit in 1985 by U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett. It also took her abroad—to chair educational conferences in Helsinki, Finland, and China to study early childhood models. She then went home to Boston, where she served as Vice Chair of the commission that unified the University of Massachusetts and Boston State College. She went on to lead the school districts of York, Maine, and Arlington, Massachusetts, respectively, where she constructed eight new schools, secured millions of dollars in grant funding to invigorate math, science, research, and athletics in her schools, launched employee childcare programs, and negotiated a ten-million-dollar contaminated land remediation with major energy corporations, resulting in new high school athletic fields and facilities. Kay’s lifelong career dedication extended well into her retirement years, with teaching school law at Emmanuel College and as President of Pope John XXIII High School in Everett, where she established an international boarding school. An entrepreneurial spirit, Kay remained actively involved in her family business for her entire life. She will be fondly remembered as a brilliant educator, champion for children, fierce advocate for women’s empowerment, and a loyal friend. Kay was a charismatic presence who embraced life with joy, curiosity, and grace. She leaves us with a legacy of wisdom, generosity, and love that inspires those who knew her. Along with her parents and husband, Kay is predeceased by her brother Joseph Philbin, sister Mary (Philbin) Gorman, and her husband John, brother-inlaw John Donovan, and his wife Marguerite. She is survived by her brother Andrew Philbin and his wife Mary of Lynnfield, sister-in-law Ellen Philbin of Everett, brother-in-law Robert Donovan of Chelsea, and her extensive family of adoring nieces, nephews, and their children. Visiting hours are Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut Street, Arlington, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, 32 Medford Street, Arlington, MA. Jeraldine (Mastropietro) Haggie Friends and family are cordially invited to attend the visitation at Rocco’s Funeral Home in Everett, Friday - April 25, 2025 from 9am - 1pm. Following visitation, all are welcome for a gathering at the Moose Club at 562 Broadway., in Malden from 1:30pm - 5:30 pm. Virginia (Coyne) Scoppa spectfully invited to attend Virginia’s visitation in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) Everett, Thursday, April 24 followed by her funeral Mass in Our Lady of Grace Church. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Virginia’s memory to Our Lady of Grace Church, C/O Blessed Mother of the Morning Star, 670 Washington Ave., Revere, MA 02151 would be sincerely appreciated. O f Everett, formerly of Chelsea. Passed away on April 20, 2025 at the age pf 72. Born on February 9,1953, she was the daughter of Mary Garceau and Carmen Mastropietro. Loving mother to Jeraldine Mcghettigan, Randall Adams, Thomas Adams and guardian of Gina White. Jeraldine was predeceased by her husaband George Haggie III, who she happily married in September of 2001. Devoted stepmother to Kristen, Matthew, and George Haggie. Loving sister of Anna Mitchell, John Mastropietro, Joseph Garceau, Dorothy Zayas and Carmen, Richard and Jimbo Mastropietro. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Jeraldine will be greatly missed by all. Memorial donations are encouraged in Jeraldine Haggie’s name to a charity of your choice. O f Everett. Entered into eternal rest on Saturday, April 19 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was 94 years old. Born in Chelsea, Virginia lived in Everett for many years. Beloved wife of the late Thomas G. Scoppa, Jr. Dear and devoted Mother of Margaret A. Scoppa and Mary of Jamaica Plain, Thomas G. Scoppa, III and his wife, Barbara of Gloucester, John Scoppa and Don of FL, Michael Scoppa and Peter of Marlborough and the late Jeffrey E. Scoppa. Devoted sister-in-law of Josephine Scoppa of Everett. Sister of the late Harold, Ernestine and Dorothy. Loving Nana of Christopher and Vanessa Scoppa. Relatives and friends are re
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