Kathleen Mary Girard (nee Downey), 56

Kathleen Mary Girard (nee Downey), 56 of Westwood, MA (formerly of West Roxbury, MA)

It is with great sadness that the family of Kathleen Mary Girard (née Downey) announce her sudden passing on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

As Kathleen launched her career spending time as a photographer in Miami, managing a band in Philadelphia, and opening restaurants in Miami, Atlanta, and Philadelphia it all later became clear what this wonderful journey of entrepreneurial creativity would lead to. On a ‘brief’ trip home to Boston, she met the love of her life, Jeff Girard, at Girard’s Bistro and all plans to move again were cancelled as her heart had found its true home in Jeff. Kathleen and Jeff were married not long thereafter. Her creativity and flair for designing beautiful spaces and her radiant and welcoming smile and quick laugh, coupled with Jeff’s mastery of creating delectable food ensured that each visitor would experience a magical night of fellowship and warmth at the business these two amazing restaurateurs grew together, Girard’s Bistro in Franklin, MA.

Kathleen and Jeff built a loving marriage filled with adventures and travels to exciting corners of the globe. They welcomed their two beautiful children, Emily and David, to their lives and embraced their growing family with happiness. Without a doubt, her biggest accomplishment and life’s purpose were her children. She loved her husband and children fiercely and expressed that love as a warm embrace – steadfast, unconditional, and never wavering. Kathleen encouraged her children to embrace their free spirit and creativity in every aspect of their lives, to be kind, and ensured that they felt safe and strong to be their truest selves. She was so proud of her children.

Each day Kathleen poured her life and love into her family and found her happiest days were spent with her husband and children whether it was an ordinary day, or during their annual trips to Aruba with the extended Girard family, which Kathleen treasured. It was there she saw the most beautiful sunsets and enjoyed the warm days in the sunshine. Kathleen loved holidays with the Downey family and informal get togethers with family and friends. Her family and friends will greatly miss the nights filled with dancing in kitchens, eating good food surrounded by loved ones, and Kathleen’s beautiful smile and red hair.

Born and raised in West Roxbury, MA the youngest of five girls, this shaped Kathleen’s formative years and resulted in a lifetime of prioritizing family and friends, trying to leave West Roxbury but always being drawn back. She attended St. Theresa School in West Roxbury and there she met lifelong friends. Kathleen graduated from Newton Catholic High School and earned her degree from New England School of Photography in Boston. In addition to her husband Jeff, and children Emily and David Girard, she is also survived by her loving parents, Bill and Ann Downey, of West Roxbury and Mary Girard and the late David Girard of Franklin, MA. Kathleen is survived by her loving sisters Loretta Downey Keane and her husband Robert Keane from West Roxbury, Linda Downey from Charlotte, NC, Joanne Downey from Franklin, MA, and Lorraine Downey Cuddy and her husband Jim Cuddy from West Roxbury, her loving brother-in-law David Girard and his wife Mil Girard from Providence, RI, and Thomas Girard and his wife Gretchen Girard of Newburyport, MA. Kathleen is also remembered with deep love by many nieces and nephews and cousins who will all remember her zest for life, her beautiful and quick smile, and her kindness. She will be especially missed by her loving and loyal poodle, Teddy!

Funeral from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home 2055 Centre Street West Roxbury, MA were on Wednesday, August 21st at 9am. Followed by Funeral Mass at Holy Name Church 1689 Centre Street West Roxbury at 10am. Relatives and friends were kindly invited to attend. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Visiting Hours on Tuesday, August 20th from 4-8pm in the funeral home.

gormleyfuneral.com

Memorial Donations may be made in Kathleen’s name may be made to Fenway Health Boston