Katherine Rose Healy

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Katherine Rose Healy, on March 23, 2025, at the age of 102. She passed away peacefully at Newport Hospital with family by her side. Born on May 7, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Julius and Katherine Herklotz. She was the beloved wife of the late Edward J. Healy, USN Retired, to whom she had been married for 40 years.

Katherine "Kay" grew up in Brooklyn. As a Navy wife she moved several times and settled in Middletown, Rhode Island where she was a homemaker and raised her daughter and four sons. For the last 24 years she resided in Portsmouth.

Katherine can best be described as a loving and generous woman of deep faith and a true believer in community and community service. She modeled those qualities throughout her life and was still volunteering after reaching the age of 100. She adored her large family, loved her many friends and her parish, and always lived life to the fullest. She never missed a celebration and participated fully in all family activities, whether it was freezing on a baseball field, sailing with a strong wind, celebrating a graduation, sitting in a hospital room and the list goes on. If anyone was struggling and needed support, soup, a visit or some words of comfort or advice, she was there. Families & friends alike loved her welcoming smile and lively conversations about all topics from books, music, sports and so much more. To know Kay was to love her.

In the 1960's Katherine began working at Newport Fabrics and eventually became manager. Because she was a talented seamstress, she was a perfect fit for the role. Many of her family and friends were the lucky recipients of "Katie's" Afghan blankets, clothing and other treasures.

It is impossible to sum up almost 103 years, especially regarding her community involvement. Shortly after moving to Middletown, Katherine became involved in the Catholic Daughters and reached the leadership role of Grand Regent. She was an integral part of St. Lucy's parish and served on every committee. Some of her volunteer work included Lucy's Hearth, Helping Hearts, St Lucy's Church Soup Kitchen, Blithewold Manor, Newport Music Festival, AARP and countless local school & sports groups.

Katherine leaves behind a loving family and many friends. She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Michael), sons, Stephen, Peter (Laura), Thomas (Michelle). Grandchildren; Christine Griffin (Stephen), Lara Murphy, Kathryn Larsen (Thomas), Alexandra Healy (Fiancé Justin), Trevor Healy (Victoria), Christopher Healy (Jacqueline), Madison Ellis (Ryan), Christian Healy (Fallyn), Olivia Healy, and Paige Staar (William).

Great grandchildren; Riley, Chase and Georgia Griffin, Katherine, Emma, Thomas and Morgan Murphy, Forrester, Gus and Molly Larsen, Parker and Beauden Ellis, Jace and Hunter Healy, Logan and Peyton Healy, Lily and Allie Staar.

She also leaves her sister, Joan Carrol, and in laws; Linda Healy, Annette and Frank Capaldo, and Marge Herklotz, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Katherine was preceded in death by her son, Paul G. Healy, grandson, Michael H. Flanagan, brothers, Charles and William Herklotz and sister, Nancy Schrag.

A wake will be held on Friday, March 28 from 4 to 7 pm at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport RI.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 9:00 AM from the Memorial Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St Lucy's Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown RI. Burial immediately following at St. Columba Catholic Cemetery, Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Michael H. Flanagan Foundation at https://www.mikesfoundation.com/ or C/O MHFF, Christine Griffin, POB 708, Barrington RI, 02806.