Catherine Helen Gately

Catherine Helen Gately, former head of Charles River School, died peacefully July 5, 2024 surrounded by her family. Cathy was a resident of Edgecomb, Maine where she resided after retiring from Charles River School in 2014. Cathy was born and raised in Maynard. She was proud of the community into which she was born. Cathy began her education at Rose Hawthorne Academy in Concord, Massachusetts. She received a BA and Masters degree from Boston University. Cathy was known for following the rules and being a good team member so it was a surprise that she and a friend on the day of graduation from BU were on the beach in Bermuda. On Cathy’s return she discovered she had been given several awards for academic excellence which were handed out the day of graduation. Cathy started her educational career at Milton academy as a Math Teacher. She taught in the Lincoln School system. She served in leadership roles as the Lower School Principal at St. Paul’s Academy and Summit School in St. Paul, Minnesota and as the Principal of the Middle School at Sunset Hill School in Kansas City, Missouri. Cathy also dedicated time as a math teacher in classrooms at Milton Academy and Lincoln Public Schools. Her interest in education led her to leadership roles in the Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools. She served as president of both organizations. Cathy enjoyed traveling, going to art galleries and museums and spending time with family and friends in her last years. Cathy’s greatest joy was when all of the children and her grandchild came to the house in Maine or to her home in Duxbury. Cathy volunteered in the Massachusetts General Hospital Newborn Intensive Care Unit doing baby cuddling which was one of her favorite activities. Cathy also volunteered at the Hopi reservation in Sedona, Arizona. Cathy saw life through the lens of what was good for children. Her gift was to help hundreds of children to become the best that they could be. Cathy is survived by her wife, The Rev’d Patricia Handloss, her stepsons Edward(Maria) of Norway and Peter(Megan) Stern of St Louis and David Handloss-Stern of Manhattan and her grandson Gabriel Stern of St Louis. She is also survived by her brothers James and Robert Gately, her sister in law Donna Gately and her many cousins, all precious to Cathy. She was predeceased by her parents Edwin and Helen Gately, and her cousin Joan. We are extremely grateful to the Palliative Care and Support Unit of MGH for the care and love given Cathy in her last days.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours in the Holden, Dunn and Lawler Funeral Home, 55 High Rock St., Westwood on Monday July 15th from 4-7pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday July 16th at 1pm in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 17 Church St., Hanover, MA. Interment following the Mass at Highland Cemetery, Centre St., Dover.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cathy’s memory to The Alzheimer’s Association or The Charles River School, Dover, MA 02030.