Kathleen T Guarnagia

Kathleen Taylor Guarnagia, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, long term resident of Boston, MA, and twenty-year resident of West Palm Beach, FL, after a full and rich life, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 24th, 2025 attended by her children.

Kathleen is survived by her husband of 62 years, Domenic Guarnagia of Boston, daughter Sheila Guarnagia and son-in-law Christopher Gryder of Vinton, Virginia, son William Taylor Guarnagia and daughter-in-law Beth Groden Guarnagia of York, ME, her sister Ailish Solon of Wicklow, and grandsons, Rowan Guarnagia-Gryder of Richmond, VA, Harrison Edward Guarnagia of Boston, MA, and Colby Taylor Guarnagia of York, ME.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her late parents William Taylor, of Kerry, and Johanna Dee Taylor, of Tipperary, and her eldest sister the late Phyllis Abruzzese of Boston.

Kathleen immigrated from Ireland to the United States in 1961 to eventually marry, settle, and raise her family in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. After the first priority of raising her young children and creating a solid home-life for her family, Kathleen found a career in the Boston Public School System and most significantly held the positions of Assistant to the Headmaster at Boston Technical High School and later the Secretary to the Principal at the Beethoven Elementary School.

The consummate hostess, Kathleen treated both cherished friends and new acquaintances to lavish and memorable events. Focused on celebrating family and friendships, Kathleen presented an elegant and comfortable graciousness that inspired the imagination and satisfied the soul. A never-ending source of strength, support, and trusted counsel, Kathleen was a loyal confidant to her husband, children, and friends alike. With her dedication to people, young and old, her zest for life, her strong intuition, and her commitment to uplifting those with whom she engaged, Kathleen was an independent and powerful life-force who enriched the lives of those she befriended.

Kathleen married Domenic Guarnagia in 1963 and together they built a life of true love, respect, and dedication. Over their 62 years together, Kathleen and Dom worked diligently to provide a stable and abundant home-life for their family, and also took many opportunities to explore the world through their extensive travels both in the US and abroad.

Kathleen reveled in the duties of being a mother and considered it her most important work. Her nieces and nephews, too, were very dear to her, and she was always quick to offer them her love and support. As a grandmother, Kathleen adored her three grandsons, doting on them while not missing an opportunity to express her pride and joy in their activities, interests, and accomplishments. She was affectionately known by many young people as Aunty Kay and Mrs. G., and she created for herself a large extended family through both blood and circumstance.

Grounded truth was usually accompanied by a hot cup of Irish tea served with milk and sugar. Bitter and sweet, strong and clear, comforting in its reliability, it might sometimes be tough to hear but it was always offered with fierce and steadfast love. Kathleen will be dearly missed by her family and friends and leaves an eternal void. The only consolation in our loss is that Kathleen was such a blessing in our lives.

A Remembrance Service will be held at 11AM on Sunday, December 14th, 2025 at the Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation, and Event Center, located at 5411 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach, FL with arrangements by Dignity Memorial.