Katherine E. McGrath passed away peacefully on March 17, 2018 at the age of 73. Kathy was born in Winchester, Mass. to Edward J. and Catherine M. McGrath. She was predeceased by her brothers Edward J. and Robert F. McGrath.

Kathy graduated from Marblehead High School in 1962. In her senior year, her drama teacher cast her in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". Kathy was quoted in a 1992 interview about the experience, saying: "It was like putting on a dress that fits you right. I loved it, and it seemed it would be nice to do something for a living that you loved."

Kathy studied acting at The Boston Conservatory and The Royal Academy of London. She performed on some of the great stages of American theater and for more than 20 years was an Associate Artist at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego. Over her long and distinguished career, she found the most joy in the plays of Shakespeare, performing in lead roles in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Macbeth"," As You Like It" and "Othello". Despite her love for the classics, Kathy finished her career on the New York stage appearing in four different musicals:  "The Music Man", "A Man of No Importance", "A Tale of Two Cities" and her final role in the 2011 Broadway hit "Billy Elliot".

"Auntie" leaves behind her sister-in-law Nancy McGrath and 7 nieces and nephews: Bob McGrath, Peter McGrath, Brian McGrath, Suzanne McGrath Mitchell, Lissa McGrath Millett, John McGrath and Chris McGrath.

Arrangements: Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday March 21, 2018 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm with the funeral service immediately following at the Murphy Funeral Home located at 85 Federal St. in Salem, Mass. Interment will be private. For more information or online guestbook, please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.