Kathleen M. Greenler, 71, of Boxford and Newburyport, died February 3, 2012 surrounded by her loving family, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.
Born in 1940, she is the oldest daughter of the late William J. and Rita (O'Neill) Greenler. "Katie" attended the Boxford elementary schools, and graduated from North Andover High School in 1957. After high school she attended Merrimack College for two years and eventually worked at the college for Father Murray, Dean of Men; and Miss Virginia O'Neill, Dean of Women She joined the convent in 1962, making her way to the Maryknoll Sisters in Ossining, N.Y.
Not long after in early 1970, she joined the missions and spent 5 years in Africa at a school in Mussoma, Tanzania on the shore of Lake Victoria. It was there she taught young African women typing, and other secretarial skills. Later she was transferred to a school in Mombasa, Kenya high above the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean.
She said that travelling around East Africa during those years were the most exciting time of her life. Upon returning home, Katie left the Maryknoll Sisters after 20 years, and began work as a secretary at Parker Brothers Games in Beverly. It was not long after that she was hired by Mullin Advertising in Hamilton, MA. There she was the office manager, and eventually the secretary to Jim Mullin, until the Parkinson's Disease hastened her retirement in 2001.
Katie is predeceased by her brother, Jerry, and survived by her sister-in-law Toni Greenler of Florida, and survived by her brother Michael L. Greenler, and his wife Mildred of Methuen; and by her sister Joanne (Greenler) Gilbert of Florida, her brother Paul J. Greenler and his wife Janet of Boxford; and by her sister Janet (Greenler) Mierzykowski and her husband Douglas of Florida; and by her brother John P. Greenler and his wife Susan of Groveland; and by her brother James C. Greenler and his wife Kim of Haverhill; also several nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews; and countless cousins, all of whom she loved and adored.
ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at the Merton Roberts and Conte Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant Street, Georgetown, Ma. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 AM at St. Mary's Church in Georgetown. She has requested that in lieu of flowers, those who wish can donate to the Parkinson's Foundation. For online condolences please visit our website at www.contefuneralhomes.com
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