Obituary for Catherine Ann McNally (Fugere)
NORTHWOOD—Catherine Ann “Kate” (Fugere) McNally, 71, died June 24 in a devastating house fire at her home in Northwood.
The daughter of Harold R. and Alice M. (Kallins) Fugere, she was born in Montague City, Massachusetts, on Dec. 14, 1949. She graduated from St. Anne’s School in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, and in 1967 from Turners Falls High School.
She graduated from Keene (New Hampshire) State College in 1971 and later obtained her master’s degree from the University of Virginia. She worked as a special education teacher in several New Hampshire towns including Rye, Exeter and Strafford. Proficient in American Sign Language, she also worked with deaf students. After her children were born, she volunteered at Northwood Elementary school, reading aloud to their classes.
On June 26, 1982, she married Daniel S. McNally at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Turners Falls. Most of their married life was spent in Northwood, where she was an active member of the community.
Always civic-minded, she served on the Northwood School Board and Northwood Town Budget Committee, participated in Town Meetings and supported the local library wherever she lived. She was a long-time advocate for the Northwood Food Pantry, serving on its board, collecting food and helping to stock shelves. When her two children were young, she trundled them to the pantry with her, instilling in them the importance of community service.
Kate was an indefatigable supporter of numerous charities including St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Winchester, Dover Children's Home, The Closet in Northwood and Meals on Wheels. She also supported Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster, Vermont; Spectrum Youth and Family Service in Burlington, Vermont; and Vermont Catholic Charities Inc.
She happily received some large donations — like 1,000 pair of Bombas socks and more than 500 pounds of Lindt chocolates — to distribute to people in need. It gave her great pleasure to meet the needs of others, and she did so anonymously.
Kate was a member of St. Joseph Church in Northwood, to which she provided many beautiful handmade items for fundraisers.
Among her favorite pastimes were crafts (such as sewing and basket weaving), gardening and finding "just the thing" at yard sales. She also helped her husband and son with their hobby maple sugar operation.
She and her family provided a home to numerous rescue dogs; she especially liked boxers and bulldogs, and she took them with her wherever she went in the car.
Kate was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Alice Fugere, and her brother Charles M. Fugere. She is survived by her husband, Daniel S. of Northwood; daughter Maureen Constance McNally of Washington, D.C.; son Jacob D. McNally of Northwood; and sisters Christine M. Levine of Pikesville, Maryland, Constance M. Fugere of Galloway, New Jersey; and Corinne F. Urban of Winchester; their families; her extended McNally family; numerous cousins; and many friends.
She also leaves the family dog, Winston.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church in Northwood at 10 a.m. on July 10. The family asks that everyone wear a bright color and a fun hat to honor Kate's love of color and story. Please share your favorite memory of Kate with her family via https://rememberingKateMcNally.fromabirdie.com/contribute. The family plans to have a charity volunteer event in the near future to support one of Kate's favorite causes in place of a wake.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that if you find one you like, plant it.
The daughter of Harold R. and Alice M. (Kallins) Fugere, she was born in Montague City, Massachusetts, on Dec. 14, 1949. She graduated from St. Anne’s School in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, and in 1967 from Turners Falls High School.
She graduated from Keene (New Hampshire) State College in 1971 and later obtained her master’s degree from the University of Virginia. She worked as a special education teacher in several New Hampshire towns including Rye, Exeter and Strafford. Proficient in American Sign Language, she also worked with deaf students. After her children were born, she volunteered at Northwood Elementary school, reading aloud to their classes.
On June 26, 1982, she married Daniel S. McNally at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Turners Falls. Most of their married life was spent in Northwood, where she was an active member of the community.
Always civic-minded, she served on the Northwood School Board and Northwood Town Budget Committee, participated in Town Meetings and supported the local library wherever she lived. She was a long-time advocate for the Northwood Food Pantry, serving on its board, collecting food and helping to stock shelves. When her two children were young, she trundled them to the pantry with her, instilling in them the importance of community service.
Kate was an indefatigable supporter of numerous charities including St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Winchester, Dover Children's Home, The Closet in Northwood and Meals on Wheels. She also supported Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster, Vermont; Spectrum Youth and Family Service in Burlington, Vermont; and Vermont Catholic Charities Inc.
She happily received some large donations — like 1,000 pair of Bombas socks and more than 500 pounds of Lindt chocolates — to distribute to people in need. It gave her great pleasure to meet the needs of others, and she did so anonymously.
Kate was a member of St. Joseph Church in Northwood, to which she provided many beautiful handmade items for fundraisers.
Among her favorite pastimes were crafts (such as sewing and basket weaving), gardening and finding "just the thing" at yard sales. She also helped her husband and son with their hobby maple sugar operation.
She and her family provided a home to numerous rescue dogs; she especially liked boxers and bulldogs, and she took them with her wherever she went in the car.
Kate was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Alice Fugere, and her brother Charles M. Fugere. She is survived by her husband, Daniel S. of Northwood; daughter Maureen Constance McNally of Washington, D.C.; son Jacob D. McNally of Northwood; and sisters Christine M. Levine of Pikesville, Maryland, Constance M. Fugere of Galloway, New Jersey; and Corinne F. Urban of Winchester; their families; her extended McNally family; numerous cousins; and many friends.
She also leaves the family dog, Winston.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church in Northwood at 10 a.m. on July 10. The family asks that everyone wear a bright color and a fun hat to honor Kate's love of color and story. Please share your favorite memory of Kate with her family via https://rememberingKateMcNally.fromabirdie.com/contribute. The family plans to have a charity volunteer event in the near future to support one of Kate's favorite causes in place of a wake.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that if you find one you like, plant it.