Catherine “Sissy” Macdonald

Catherine “Sissy” (Sullivan) MacDonald June 26, 1929 – March 30, 2012 Catherine “Sissy” (Sullivan) MacDonald, 82 of Winthrop, beloved wife of the late John (Smokey) MacDonald, died on March 30, 2012 with her children by her side. Catherine was born in Boston and grew up in Roxbury where she attended St. Rita’s and St. Patrick’s High School. She attended Boston Clerical Business School and later in life took courses at Suffolk University. After their marriage in 1952, Catherine and John moved to St. Matthew’s Parish in Dorchester where they brought up their family and where they did extensive volunteer work for St. Matthew’s and in the community. They also lived in Quincy for 20 years and spent a lot of time in Nova Scotia with their grandsons. Catherine lived the last five years in Winthrop and loved living by the ocean. Catherine started her working life at Graybar Electrical where she made many life long friends. She also worked for Attorney J. Albert Johnson and on Thompson Island. Catherine loved her years working at the State House as the Assistant Director of Personnel (Boards and Commissions) in the Governor of Massachusetts’ office. She worked for Governor Dukakis during his two terms, Governor King and retired in 1992 after working for Governor Weld. She was a Commissioner to Qualify Public Officers and a Notary Public. She was a delegate to several Democratic conventions and received an ABLE award. Catherine was a very kind, compassionate, fun and talented woman who lived her life with quiet determination. She was a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend who fought a long, courageous battle against many illnesses and who is now at peace. Catherine is survived and dearly missed by her son Michael MacDonald (M & M Cable) and Judy Silverman, Winthrop, daughter Kathy Gerrior and son in law James Gerrior, grandson Alex Gerrior and grandson Ben Gerrior and his wife Teena, all of Nova Scotia. Catherine was one of 10 children and took great pride in the closeness of her large family. Catherine is also survived by her sisters, Margaret Goodwin of Quincy and Frances Zoldos of Biloxi, MS., many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and other family members across the U.S. and Nova Scotia. Catherine was predeceased by her husband of 40 years, John, parents, Garrett and Catherine Sullivan, brothers, Arthur Bopp, John Bopp, Garrett (Buddy) Sullivan, Thomas Sullivan and sisters, Alice Bennett, Mary Fazio, Dorothy Sullivan and nephews Kevin Zoldos, William Bennett and Robin Bennett. Funeral arrangements are by Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02170. Catherine’s funeral is on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Sacred Heart Church, 386 Hancock Street, North Quincy at 10 am. Visitation is on Monday, April 9, 2012 from 4-8 pm at Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock Street, Quincy. Donations may be made in Catherine’s name to All Care Hospice, 210 Market Street, Lynn, MA 01901. Thank you to everyone who was so kind to Catherine throughout her life. Special thanks to the staff at Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett and All Care Hospice in Lynn.