Kathleen E. Fay

Kathleen (Kay) Elizabeth Fay (Perry) of Scituate, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2026, at the extraordinary age of 103. She was surrounded by her loving family and her caregivers, who had become like family to her. Kay was the oldest living resident of Scituate, and when asked her secret to a long life, she would always reply with a smile, “My love of chocolate.”

Kay was born June 12th, 1922, in Portland, Maine, to the late Joseph and Mary Perry. She was the sister of the late Joseph Perry and the late Eileen McGinnis. Though she grew up during the Great Depression, Kay enjoyed a stable and happy childhood with loving parents and siblings.

Kay pursued a career in nursing and was immensely proud to complete her training in 1943 at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary. She often credited her nursing education—and all that she witnessed during those years—with shaping her positive outlook on life.

In 1944, Kay met the love of her life, William (Bill) L. Fay, while out in Portland with her nursing friends. With Navy ships docked in the harbor, one friend encouraged her to find a handsome sailor. Kay spotted Bill and immediately declared, “That is the one!” After several dates, they were married a year later, just before Bill shipped out to the Pacific during World War II.

Kay and Bill shared a loving marriage of 70 years and raised their family in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, where they built a strong community and lifelong friendships. While Kay lovingly raised their children and managed the home, Bill built a successful company in the textile industry. This allowed Kay to see the world with him. For many years, they also owned a home called “Bayside” in Hopetown, on one of the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas. This was a peaceful retreat where the family could truly unwind, and many cherished vacations and holidays were spent there.

Of all the special places they lived and visited, their happiest place was their summer home in Humarock, Massachusetts. Over more than 60 years, countless joyful memories were made there—a tradition that continues today as Kay’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoy this very special place.

Kay lived her life to the very end with strength, determination, beauty, poise, and grace. She loved to dance and loved flowers, but her greatest joy was her marriage to Bill and her family.

Kay is survived by her children: Stephen Fay and his wife Deborah of Pembroke, MA; Cynthia Stangl and her husband David of Scituate, MA; Pamela Devaney and her husband James of Wellesley, MA; and Michael Fay and Raymond Delano of Boston, MA.

She is also survived by her grandchildren Kurt Stangl (Issa); Jessica Dolce (John); Justin Devaney (Robin); Katie Stangl O’Brien (Stephen); and Breauna Fay; as well as her great-grandchildren Capri, Ryder, Christian, Avery, Perry, Emerson and McKenna. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews from the Fay, Perry, and McGinnis families.

Services will be private.