Kathryn “Kathy” Sheila (Stafford) Walsh, 70

Kathryn “Kathy” Sheila (Stafford) Walsh, 70, of Franklin passed away peacefully on December 31st in Medway, MA following a long illness. She was the wife of Joseph “Jay” K. Walsh for the past 37 years.

Born in Boston, March 8, 1952, the daughter of the late John and Geraldine (Pitts) Stafford, Kathy was raised in Dorchester and North Easton. She and her husband have lived in Franklin for the past 30 years where they raised their three daughters.

A homemaker for most of her life, she had previously worked as a communications supervisor at The Foxboro Company and a switchboard operator at Bird & Son, where she would meet her best friend of 45 years, Cathy Furlong of Walpole.

Kathy enjoyed cooking, taking long spontaneous drives, watching the Red Sox, Patriots, and Bruins, baking for her children’s sports teams and traveling with her family on ski trips and summer vacations to NH, VT, and the Cape. She loved the holidays (especially Halloween) and enjoyed decorating the house for every occasion.

We will forever remember her for her strength and perseverance.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughters, Kerry (Walsh) Vogel and her husband Terry Vogel of Milford, Courtney Walsh and Stephanie Walsh of Franklin. She is also survived by her two precious grandchildren, Grace and Caleb Vogel of Milford and her Uncle Bill McAdams of Falmouth. She leaves behind Bill and Lauren Walsh of Mashpee, John and Jaynellen Walsh of Walpole, Mary Walsh of Norwood, Mike and Meg Walsh of Milton, Natalie Woodward of Norwood, Laura Schmatzler of Norwood, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Walsh family would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Ligibel and the staff at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital for their compassionate care.

Her funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 12th at St. Mary’s Church in Franklin at 10am. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery for family and close friends. Calling hours will be on January 11th from 4-7 p.m. at the Ginley Funeral Home (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) at 131 Main Street, Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.