Katherine Finnerty

Katherine Fader Finnerty, 92, died on November 22, 2011 in the presence of her family in the same home where she was born on June 8, 1919. She was the daughter of the late Arthur and Catherine Fader; and is survived by her son Michael.

Katherine graduated from Marblehead High School in 1938. Around this time she met a tall handsome native of Nahant, Arthur Finnerty, who, after a long courtship, would become her husband. Arthur insisted that Katherine finish her nursing training at Salem Hospital prior to taking their vows. They were married on August 22, 1942.

Katherine and Arthur traveled around the country during World War II, as Arthur prepared to be a B-29 navigator. Everywhere they went Katherine did volunteer work with the Red Cross.

Shortly after the war Katherine and Arthur decided to embark on an adventurous enterprise to set up a business to import Guatemalan handbags to the U.S. On the way to Guatemala, the couple was involved in a car accident which was nearly fatal for Katherine. Months later their only son Michael was born and Arthur returned to the Air Force as a master sergeant.

Life in the military meant a lot of travel for the Finnertys, including long stays in Hawaii and Japan. As always Katherine was heavily involved with the Red Cross. Through all these changes, the family retained the old manse on Selman Street, to which they returned when Arthur retired in 1968. Katherine returned to nursing at Mary Alley Hospital in Marblehead until 1986.

Katherine and Arthur traveled abroad touring through Europe, and especially enjoyed visiting Ireland, the land of their ancestors. They also enjoyed autumn foliage trips to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia. Most of all they loved to sit on their deck facing the ocean and exchanging greetings with passersby, or to walk around beautiful Marblehead with their Irish Setter at their side.

A graveside service was held in Our Lady Star of the Sea Cemetery, Marblehead. Arrangements by the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, Marblehead.