Kathleen "Kathy" Joan Checkoway

January 23rd was Kathy’s last Ta-Da! She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family after a valiant 8-month fight against Glioblastoma.

Meme’ or “Meemaw” as her grandkids called her, was born in Worcester to Armand W. and Julia R. (Godek) LeBeau. She graduated from Commerce High School and worked as a bookkeeper for several area businesses while raising her family. Kathy also worked as a clerk at Worcester Juvenile Court for several years.

She met her soulmate at a dance at SAC park in Shrewsbury in June 1965 and as they say, “The rest is history.” Peter and Kathy enjoyed 60 years together and raised two wonderful children. Kathy will be dearly missed by her loving husband Peter, daughter Julie and husband Sean Law of Grafton, MA, son Jeff and wife Kim of Oxford, MA, and the grandkids Kailyn, Charlie, and Chase. She also leaves her sister Sharon Brunell and her brother William (Billy Beau) LeBeau and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, her infant twin daughter Melissa Jean and her sister Nancy (Beau) Heath.

Meme’ and Pepe’ moved to Cape Cod in 2003 and shared so many great summer memories with their kids and grandkids, enjoying Dennis beaches and Scargo Lake. Kathy loved walking on the beach wherever she could. One of her most precious moments was going on a river cruise from Paris and standing in the water on Normandy Beach where her Dad landed in WWII. Meme’ and Pepe’ bought a second home in Venice, FL and spent most of the winter months enjoying the sunshine and beaches there as well. Meme’ had a keen eye for home décor and was always redecorating one room or another or planning a big remodel. She had amazing vision when it came to making a house into a home for her family. Kathy took great pride in her gardens and especially her blueberry and hydrangea bushes. She always shared her delicious, home-made blueberry jam with friends and family. She had a sign at her back door that read, “Ring bell, if no one answers, Pull Weeds”.

For those who had the opportunity to share time with Kathy knew that above all she was a truly selfless soul who always had you and others in mind, and you never left her after a visit without feeling sublimely loved.

The family would like to thank the Neurology team at MGH for their care and kindness and devotion to their work. Special thanks to Daneen, an incredible caretaker while Meme’ was at home.

A Celebration of Kathy's life will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 12-2 PM at the Doane, Beal, & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Rt. 134, South Dennis.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Glioblastoma Research c/o MGH, Boston MA:

https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/car-t-therapy-for-glioblastoma