Kathleen D. Mead

Kathleen Duffy Mead, beloved wife of Kendall Farrar, of East Orleans, MA and Vero Beach, FL passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on June 30, 2015. Kathy was born in Mt. Vernon, NY to the late Margaret Gibson and Charles Anthony Duffy. She was raised in a beautiful home on Lake Katonah and carried those early childhood influences throughout her life, becoming a knowledgeable realtor and a lifelong swimmer. Kathy was well-known and respected for her dedication to our community. She helped folks buy and sell homes in the Orleans area beginning in 1974.

Kathy's many achievements include: head of the Multiple Listing Service for more than 15 years; past Chairman for the Cape and Islands Board of Realtors; early advocate and member of the Business and Professional Women's Organization; member of the Board of Directors of the Orleans Cemetery Association; member of the Board of Directors of the Cape Cod Sports Ambassadors and decades as a staunch Nauset High School athletics fan. Kathy was also a member of the Cape Cod Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children and the first to reach out to others who found themselves unfortunately candidates to join POMC. Kathy was a member of the first town-sponsored 4th of July Committee and a true advocate for all 4th of July activities. She was asked to be a Grand Marshall for the 2015 parade and regrets greatly that she won't make it. For years Kathy could be spotted around town in one of a series of black Saabs. She was an ardent supporter of the Boston and Cape Cod Symphonies and an enthusiastic season ticket holder for the Boston Celtics. She was a longtime member of the Orleans Yacht Club. Kathy also modeled for fashion shows locally and she and Ken enjoyed greatly their travels around the world.

The many friends and family who attended her holiday parties will always remember the revelry and an exceptional hostess who provided extraordinary food and drink. In recent years Kathy successfully avoided Cape Cod winters and fell in love with her second home and wonderful neighbors in Vero Beach FL. However, Kathy always thought that her greatest accomplishment was her children and grandchildren, to whom she was known as Luchie, though her family thought her greatest accomplishment was her incredible strength and ability to persevere in the face of adversity. She is survived by two daughters: Kimberly Lynn Mead-Walters (Davis Walters) and their children Kyle, Madelyn (fiancé Jason Wheeler) Samuel and Jeremy; Margaret Elizabeth Mead-McEnaney (Daniel McEnaney) and Christopher, Garrett, Sheamus and Marielle. Luchie is also survived by her son Duane Edward Mead and his children Alexandra and Katherine. She was predeceased by her son Christopher Duffy Mead and her sister Elizabeth Duffy Maynard. She is also survived by three step-children and their families: Loree Farrar (Russ Lehrman) and Chayva, Jesse and Gabe; Scott Farrar (Clyde Proch) and Wendi Wilson Farrar.

Friends are invited to a celebration of Luchie's life at the Federated Church of Orleans, where Luchie and her family attended regularly, on Sunday July 5th, 2015 at 1 pm. Celebration to be followed by refreshments in the vestry. Luchie loved flowers but, for those who prefer, in lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Christopher Duffy Mead Scholarship Fund c/o Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank at 97 Cranberry Highway, Orleans, MA 02653.

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.