Catherine “Kay” Garneau was born in 1935 and spent her childhood in Braintree surrounded by family, opportunities to roam, and a menagerie of animals next door on her grandfather’s farm. Her extended family were innovative, creative, and adventurous. Kay’s grandfather was an early photographer and filmmaker, recording family events on his 16mm camera and developing his own films. Her mother brought home mountains of books from the library and to Kay’s wonder read them all each week. Alongside her brothers John and Billy she grew up camping, exploring the outdoors, skiing, and playing sports, especially baseball. As a young woman she learned to pilot a single-engine plane, drove a fabulous MG convertible, and set her sights on becoming a professional artist. She graduated from Massachusetts School of Art and began a career working in Boston as a graphic designer. Kay designed patterns for Carter’s Clothing and countless print campaigns. She thrived in what was then a male-dominated field and loved living and working in the city.
In 1962 she married Roland Garneau and they moved to Quincy, where Kay continued to work as a freelance graphic designer and they welcomed their sons Mike and Matt. The boys remember walking to the Five and Dime and movie theater in East Milton Square, and running around the corner to get ice cream at the Dairy Freeze. In 1973 Kay and Roland moved the family to Scituate, where they lived for the next 50 years. In addition to her work as a designer, Kay painted and found many other creative outlets. Her paintings often depicted scenes from Scituate and were shared with others through a series of prints and cards, including her hand-painted Christmas cards.
Kay rescued and raised countless animals, including a long line of beloved dogs, a goose and duck that flew in and never left, a pigeon that took up residence in the house, and all the backyard animals that benefited from her generosity and care. She drove a red ‘85 Camaro IROC-Z 28 around town and remained active throughout her life, playing golf, bowling, and gardening well into her eighties. For every holiday she cooked feasts that had at least three main dishes and created a warm and wonderful space for all. Kay deeply enjoyed her family’s company and supported all of their ambitions and adventures.
Kay passed away on Monday April 15, 2024. She was predeceased by her husband Roland, brothers John and Billy, and sister-in-law MaryJane. She leaves her son Michael and his wife Kelly, her son Matthew, and her grandchildren Madison, Emerson, and Will. She also leaves her sister-in-law Grace, niece Marcia, her husband Chris, and their children Adrian and Marker; nephew Richard; nephew Bill, his wife Wendi, and their children Evan and Ali. Kay’s warmth, creativity, and endless vitality will be missed by all.
A visitation will take place on Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 3-7 PM at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road, Scituate. A Funeral Mass to be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 10:00 AM from St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent Street, Scituate Harbor.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to the Scituate Animal Shelter, 780 Chief Justice Cushing Highway Scituate, Massachusetts or at https://scituateanimalshelter.org/donate
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