Kathleen "Kathy" Joyce Willett

Kathleen Joyce Willett, 78, passed away Tuesday May 14th, 2024, surrounded by family and love. Kathy was the loving wife of Frederick (Ted) W. Willett for 37 years before his passing in 2004. She now joins him in peace and rest.

Daughter of the late William Joyce and Grace McWalter Joyce, Kathy was raised in Cohasset and graduated from Cohasset High School in 1963. Kathy was voted the “most athletic girl” in her high school class, where she excelled at field hockey and several other sports. After moving to Marshfield in 1984, she worked as an assistant Field Hockey coach for six seasons at Marshfield High School.

In their 37 years of marriage, Kathy and Ted raised four children between Pembroke and Marshfield, and then became year-round residents of Harwich Port on Cape Cod in 1992, after spending every summer there with family. Until Ted’s passing, they enjoyed boating and being active members at Stonehorse Yacht Club in Harwich Port. Kathy crewed in weekend sailing races, and dedicated many years at SHYC to serving on the Board of Governors and Membership committee.

Kathy was also a long time member of the Harwich Garden club. For years, she headed the committee that keeps Harwich Port scenic and flower-filled, planting lovely barrels and plants around the town. She also worked on the committee to beautify Doane Park by the Post Office. At home, her hydrangeas and colorful blooms in her own garden were a joy to look forward to each year.

Kathy had boundless energy and a warmth that radiated to all who knew her. Besides gardening, she enjoyed book clubs, knitting, baking and gifting her famous shortbread during the holidays. She welcomed everyone into her Cape house and hosted a lively rotation of family friends, grandchildren and siblings visiting; she’d make sure her homemade blueberry muffins were ready.

Kathy had been with her partner, Dave Harris, a resident of Harwich, since 2010. Kathy enjoyed many years of visiting with his daughters and grandchildren, taking trips to Aruba, Europe and California, and spending each winter in Florida.

Kathy took up golf a dozen or so years ago and, with her characteristic humility, told everyone that, “I’m really not very good.” Yet, she accomplished something that most golfers never achieve - she’s had not one, but two holes-in-one! The first was on the Cape; the second was on a course in Florida.

Kathy was a woman of faith, and was a parishioner of St. Christine’s Parish in Marshfield as well as Holy Trinity Catholic Church in West Harwich after moving to the Cape.

Kathy’s legacy is woven into the lives of her surviving loved ones. She is lovingly remembered by her four children; Ted Willett, Andy Willett and his wife Julie; Kate Willett Duggan and her husband Kevin, and Elizabeth Willett. She was an extraordinary grandmother to Drew, Cole and Luke Willett and Aisling and Finn Duggan. Kathy was also a loving oldest sister to her 7 siblings; Bill, Margaret, Tricia, Tom, Liz, Steven and Mary Ellen.

Visiting hours will be held at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home at 206 Main St. in West Harwich on Sunday, May 19th, 2024 from 2 PM to 6 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held 11AM on Monday, May 20th, 2024 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 246 Main Street in West Harwich.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made in Kathy’s name to the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich via the Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation at https://support.givetocapecodhealth.org/donate. Alternatively, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting www.alz.org.