Katherine (Kate) Carmody Kearns, 89, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2010 at home, surrounded by her family. Kate 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. Kate was the daughter of the late John and Winifred (Osborne) Carmody. In 1926 Kate moved with her family to the house at Ram Pasture. Kate’s dad, John Carmody was Miss Mary Hawley’s chauffer, and quite often took Kate and her sister, Sally, for a ride in Miss Hawley’s Pierce-Arrow automobile. Kate graduated from Hawley School in 1938 and from Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing in 1941. Kate married William (Mike) Kearns in 1949, and together they raised 8 children. Kate was an active member in St. Rose Church, involved in Mother’s Circle and the Rosary Group. 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. Kate 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. She 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. Kate was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by her husband of nearly 61 years, Mike Kearns and their 8 children; Michael (Carol) Kearns of Litchfield, Patrick (Diane) Kearns of Southbury, Katherine (David) Gaudreau of East Hartford, Joseph (Arlene) Kearns of Hollis, NH. RoseMary (Steven) Davis of Tolland, Doretta (Neil) Tarangioli of Bronxville, NY, Daniel (Tammy) Kearns of Newtown and Mary Clark of Sandy Hook. She is also survived by her 19 grandchildren: Annie Kearns, Melissa (John) Danaher, Shane Kearns, Sarah (Jason) Rojas, Martha, Doretta, and Anastasia Gaudreau, Elizabeth and Samantha Kearns, Jordan Garrison, Thomas, Amanda, and Jessica Tarangioli, Daniel, Michael, and Casey-Rose Kearns, and Laura, Emily, and Katherine Clark, and her 4 great grand children: Cassie, Rachel, Addison and Stella. Also surviving Kate is her sister, Priscilla (Sally) Carmody, her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. Kate was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Alice Carmody Mead, and her brothers Fred, Barton, and Jack Carmody. The family will receive friends at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown on Tuesday June 1, 2010 from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road Newtown Ct. Interment will follow in St. Rose Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Rose School, Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT or to Regional Hospice of Western CT, 405 Main Street Danbury, Ct. 06810. To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com

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