Marblehead – Catherine A. "Kay" (Mortimer) Brophy, age 87 years, wife of Joseph L. Brophy, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018, surrounded by her loving family, following a brief illness.  Born in Dorchester, she was the daughter of the late William E. and Mabel (Ricker) Mortimer.  Mrs. Brophy was a graduate of Hyde Park High School class of 1948.  She was employed with Massachusetts Transit Authority until 1960.  Catherine married her husband Joseph on September 19, 1959 at St. Joseph's Church in Hyde Park.

In 1960, the Brophy's settled in Marblehead and started their family. When the children went to school, she went to work with the Marblehead Public Schools, working in food services from 1974 to 1996, when she retired.  Mrs. Brophy enjoyed arts + crafts, reading and traveling but her greatest joy were her children and eight grandchildren.  For the last seventeen years, Mrs. Brophy was devoted to her grandchildren and she enjoyed attending their many sporting events and activities.  She found fulfillment in volunteering with the Harbor Women's Club, Marblehead Food Pantry, My Brother's Table through Our Lady Star of the Sea Church and more recently by knitting hats for the Troops.  She also volunteered at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Church Christmas Fair.

Surviving her in addition to her husband are; her children, Kathleen Brophy and her husband William Novick of Merrimac, MA, Mark Brophy and his wife Mary of Fort Collins, CO, Michael Brophy and his wife Maura of Abington, MA, Patrick Brophy and his wife McHala of Worcester, MA, Gael Saulnier and her husband Christopher of Marblehead, MA; her grandchildren Kaylind and Shaylind Novick, Maeve, William and Kathryn Brophy, Rachael, Kyle and Leah Saulnier; her sister Dorothy Driscoll of North Port, FL; her sisters-in-law Patricia Lewis of Quincy, MA, Angeline Mortimer of North Port, FL and Nancy Mortimer of Columbia, MD and many nieces, nephews and a large extended family of relatives and friends.  She was pre-deceased by her sisters and brothers, June McSweeney, Gael Kelly, Brenda Cullinane, William, Leo and Robert Mortimer.

Mrs. Brophy's visiting hours will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Corner of North Street, Salem on Wednesday March 14, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.  Her Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday March 15, 2018 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead at 11:00 A.M.  Burial will follow at Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kaplan Family Hospice House , 75 Liberty St., Danvers, MA  01923 or to My Brother's Table , 98 Willow St, Lynn, MA 01901.  For additional information or online guest book please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.