Catherine 'Kay' (Dunlee) Rodden: Longtime Swampscott Resident and Crossing Guard

Obituary courtesy of Murphy Funeral Home

Catherine “Kay”(Dunlee) Rodden, age 86, devoted wife of Paul Francis Rodden, died Thursday afternoon, September 24, 2015 at the NSMC- Salem Hospital holding her daughtershands. Born in Cambridge she was the daughter of the late George E. and Helen T. (Donovan) Dunlee. She was raised and educated in Revere where she graduated Revere High School in the class of 1947.

Mrs. Rodden started her career working as an operator for New England Telephone. While vacationing on Cape Cod, she met her future husband Paul, and they married in 1956 at Immaculate Conception Churchin Revere. They moved to Chicago, where Kay worked with the Tribune as an operator. They soon returned to Massachusetts and settled in Swampscott in 1962. She was a driver for Michaud Bus Lines and was a crossing guard in Swampscott for 37 years where she fought for the guards the right to work traffic details back in the 1980’s. She was a generous, wonderful, warm, fierce, loving Mom and Nana who kept us all laughing. She loved her family dearly. An avid and curious reader, she had an encyclopedic knowledge of history and religion. She was keenly interested in world politics and always enjoyed a heated discussion. Kay loved to travel and while she was feeling well, was always up for an adventure.

She is survived by her husband and her daughters Patricia Rodden Fabbri of Lynnfield and her husband Luke, Katherine “Katie” Rodden Akoury of Danvers and her husband Jake, four grandchildren, Collin, Liam, Hannah Marie and Kendall, her brother George “Bud” Dunlee and his wife Mary Lou of Manchester, NH and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass will be held at Saint Michaels Chapel located at the Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Avenue, Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 10 A.M. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Per her request, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of her favorite causes: The American Lung Association of the Northeast, MSPCA, DAV National HQ,and Home for Little Wanderers. The family would so appreciate any memories you may have; please share on the website below.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem. For additional information or online guestbook please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com for online guest book.