Kathryn C. (Duprey) Reilly

SHREWSBURY - Long time Framingham educator Kathryn C. Reilly, 70, of Shrewsbury died with her family by her side on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Kath had been diagnosed recently with an aggressive form of glioblastoma.

Kath was born on April 4, 1954, in Concord, New Hampshire, the daughter of the late Milton and Irene (Cusano) Duprey. She graduated from Concord High School with the class of 1972 and later earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Worcester State University. Kath married the love of her life, James A. Reilly on June 24, 1978. Kath and Jim eventually settled in Shrewsbury, Ma. to raise their family.

Kath’s highly respected career with the Framingham Public School District spanned forty-two years. She held teaching positions at Barbieri Middle, Walsh Middle, Dunning, Juniper Hill, Potter Road, Stapleton and Brophy, retiring in 2020. Kath was honored with the You are Special Teacher Award in Framingham in 2011 and was the recipient of the Goldin Award for Excellence in Education in 2014.

Kath saw the promise and respected the individuality in each child she taught. Relationships with students and their families was a priority with Kath, and she continued to maintain close ties to many former students and their families. She began Kids Who Care at Brophy, introducing students to community service. Kath was the Brophy School Coordinator for the Expanded Learning Time Program (2008-2010) which provided three hundred additional hours to the school year with the goal of producing better outcomes for students.

One of her most important roles was mentoring countless educators. Kath’s consistent advice to those around her was always “Do what is best for kids.” She strived to balance the district’s high academic expectations with the social and emotional needs of the children. Kath’s philosophy of early childhood education can best be found in her address at the Goldin Award Forum. Kath said, “Thirty years ago or today, you will still find five-year-olds with fingers in their mouths as they wiggle that loose tooth. Kindergartners need time to talk and explore language. They need hugs and smiles and band-aids. They need high expectations and consistent routines. Five-year-olds still need time to play."

In retirement, Kath’s passion for reading education led her to write and publish several children’s books, each of which follow the principles of the Science of Reading, for use in reading instruction. She kept current with the latest educational trends and carefully studied the updated research on dyslexia. Kath was currently enjoying tutoring many children and served as a passionate advocate for special education students who had been diagnosed with dyslexia.

Kath kept active with daily walks with friends, and with Jim and their faithful dogs, Nora, Fiona and Molly. She was an incomparable friend, making sure to keep up with her large circle with texts, calls and visits. Above all, Kath cherished her role as mother, and especially enjoyed spending time with Jim and their family in their home on Baxter Lake in her native New Hampshire. Kayaking in the early morning hours on the lake brought Kath much joy and peace.

Kath, Jim and Jay and extended family members recently traveled to Seoul, South Korea to celebrate the wonderful occasion of the marriage of their daughter Anna Kim and son-in-law, Hyunjun Youn. Kath glowed with pride when sharing pictures and videos from this treasured trip.

In addition to her husband of 46 years, Kath was the devoted and proud mother of her children, Anna Kim and her husband Hyunjun Youn of Seoul, South Korea, and Jay H. Reilly of Shrewsbury; her beloved brothers and sister-in-law, Dennis Duprey and his wife Patti of Kennebunk, Maine and Michael Duprey of Concord, New Hampshire; her brother-in-law Jim Allen of Groton, Ma., and Kathleen Reilly and her husband Lance Morrow of South Orange, New Jersey; many adored nieces and nephews and a host of close friends and colleagues from her teaching career. Kath was predeceased by her parents and sister-in-law, Jane Allen.

Family and friends will honor and remember Kath by gathering on Sunday, September 22nd at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, 284 East Temple Street, Boylston, MA, for a celebration of life. The Memorial Service will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a reception. The burial, which will be private, will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Concord, New Hampshire. There are no calling hours. 

Those wishing to view the broadcast (and recording) of Kath's service please use this link: https://my.gather.app/remember/kathyrn-reilly

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made using Venmo @kathreillymemorial. This fund will be used to purchase memorial items in areas most meaningful to Kath’s life.

Arrangements by James + John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.