Kathleen C. (Varley) Moran

Kathleen C.  (Varley) Moran, of Waltham passed away at home with family by her side on Friday, May 24, 2024. She was 85.

Born on September 5, 1938 in Waltham she was the daughter of the late Warren F. and Marjorie M. (Kehoe) Varley. Kathleen was a lifelong Waltham resident and a 1956 graduate of Waltham High School. She attended Framingham State College and went to work for New England Telephone in Boston. On November 25, 1961, Kathleen married the love of her life James McNair “Mac” Moran in Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Waltham. Together they made their home in Waltham and she started her most fulfilling work as a “full-time mum”. Once the children were older, she returned to the workforce as an executive secretary at Honeywell Information Systems on Smith Street in Waltham and later became a senior financial analyst for Sally Mae until her retirement in 2003.

She enjoyed their weekend family camping trips at the Bourne Scenic Park, where they would bring along all eight bikes and the large family tent that fit eight sleeping bags and the dog. In retirement, she enjoyed the relaxing times with Mac on Cape Cod and road-trips visiting many states, especially their cross-country drive that included visiting the Grand Canyon, a week in Vegas and a snowball-fight at Yosemite National Park in June! And on another occasion, their memorable drive to Mount Rushmore. In their later years, Kathleen and Mac enjoyed spending winters in Florida. Kathleen was also a Life Member of the PFC John M. Sullivan, USMC VFW Post No. 10334 Auxiliary.

She loved spending time with all her children and babysitting the grandchildren. She especially enjoyed attending their activities in sports, music, art exhibits, theater and dance performances, gymnastics, and all their milestones. She loved Our Lady's Parish, attending morning Mass when able, and teaching CCD for six years when her children were young. Everything her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren did filled her with love and joy and happiness. She was so proud of them all. And “proud and happy to be Mac’s wife.” Kathleen was happiest when all her family was at her home eating, talking, laughing, having fun, and in her words “what more could I want, it couldn't be better!”

Kathleen wished to conclude by simply saying, “Thank you very much to those who were praying for me. The prayers were felt and gave comfort to me.”

In addition to our husband Mac, she leaves her children James M. Moran, Jr. and his wife Karen of Saint Augustine, Florida and Hampstead, New Hampshire, Kathleen N. Donohoe and her husband Gerry of County Cavan, Ireland, Michael J. Moran and his wife, Monica of Winchester, Judith E. Chicco and her husband Paul of Sandwich, Thomas W. Moran of Waltham, John B. “Jack” Moran and his wife Eileen of Townsend.  She was the proud grandmother of Kathleen Claire “Kasey” Hammel and her husband Kyle, Emily Herlihy and her husband Andrew, Christopher and his girlfriend Felicia, Michael, Meghan, Lauren Lazar and her husband, Jeffrey, Kristen and her boyfriend, David Justin (DJ) Pothier, Julie and her husband Matthew, Troy, Daniel, Brendan, and Nicholas; step-grandmother of Bronagh of Ireland; great-grandmother of Ryan, Connor, Lillian, and Theodore “Teddy”; dear sister of Marjorie “Margie” McCammon of Wayland; sister-in-law of Ruthie Varley of Saint Patrick’s Manor, Framingham and Susan Moran of Sturbridge and also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Kathleen was also the mother-in-law of the late Laurie Moran; sister of the late Warren P. Varley, Jr. and sister-in-law of the late Priscilla Steed and Robert McCammon. 

Family and friends will honor and remember Kathleen‘s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Thursday, May 30^th from 4-7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne will be held on Monday, June 3^rd at 10:45 AM.