Catherine (Kay) E (Sestito- Doherty) Cummings

Norwell - Catherine (Kay) E. (Sestito) (Doherty) Cummings

Born in Dedham, Kay made her home with her Uncle Joe and Aunt Louise Cummings in Roslindale, until her marriage to Edward A. Doherty in 1950. Their eight children were raised on Howard Street in Braintree. 

Kay obtained her Master’s degree in Special Education at Boston State College while raising seven children as a single parent.  Her 25 year teaching career was spent working with blind adults and also young adults with intellectual and emotional disabilities.  She continued to take courses at local colleges and volunteered in several programs after her retirement from the Cardinal Cushing School in Hanover in 1996.

Kay loved to dance, do cross-word puzzles and go thrift shopping. She had a place on Cape Cod for many years and a beautiful rock garden on Howard Street. She loved to visit her brother Bill, Rosa and family in California. She was a faithful Red Sox and Patriots fan. She ran 5K and 10K road races.  As many mothers do, she had special powers of omniscience, and most of her kids did believe that she had eyes in the back of her head. Her grandkids could do no wrong.

Daughter of the late Frank and Mary Sestito and sister of the late Robert, Kay was also predeceased by her daughter Kathleen, grandson Curtis, brother-in-law Don, nephew Jeffrey, sisters-in-law Rosa and Annaliese; and her special, beautiful, very, very good dog, Bella.

She is survived by her sons Edward and wife Betty, Brian, Paul, and Chris Doherty; her daughters Joanne Doherty and husband Peter Weldon, Sheila and Susan Doherty; proud grandmother of Joseph, Kaleigh, Shannon, Ryanne and Grace. She is also survived by her sisters Carol and Mary; brother Bill, Sr.; nieces Danielle, Bonnie, and Teresa; nephews Bill, Jr. and Chris; and former daughters-in-law Karen, Maureen, and Stephani.         

Kay had several close and special friends: Dan Capobianco, a lifelong friend; Hugh McKinnon (deceased); and her godchild Courtney Canney and her family.

In the face of many challenges, Kay persevered.  Her purposeful and resourceful life has come to an end, but her influence lives on in our family tree. Visiting hours will be on Saturday September 10th from 11 A.M.-1:00 P.M. A Catholic Prayer Service will be held at 1:00. At Peck Funeral Home 516 Washington St .Braintree, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to More Than Words @mtwyouth, a group empowering youth who are in foster care, court-involved, or homeless to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a bookstore business - or the charity of your choice.

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