Kathernine A. Corriveau, 78
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Katherine Ann Corriveau, 78, of 161 Rich St., died peacefully on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, where she had been a patient since June 25. She had struggled with heart disease and diabetes for many years.
A native and lifelong resident of North Adams, she was born Dec. 2, 1932, the daughter of Charles F. and Genevieve Carlisle Day. Educated in local schools and a 1950 graduate of Drury High School, she attended the former Bliss Business College in North Adams. She worked for many years as a legal secretary to the late attorney Gordon W. Phelps.
She was the beloved wife of Paul J. Corriveau. They were married July 7, 1956, at the former Saint Francis of Assisi Church, North Adams. They marked their 55th wedding anniversary last week quietly in the Boston hospital.
In addition to her early secretarial work, Mrs. Corriveau was a homemaker. She was active in supporting Historic Valley Campground, was a past member of the Windsor Lake Recreation Commission, and she supported the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, both in North Adams. Earlier in life, she served the Girl Scouts as an adult leader and the Northern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce as a volunteer in its tourist welcome booth. She was a lifelong member of Saint Francis until the city’s Catholic churches were consolidated at the end of 2008.
She and her husband enjoyed traveling and camping throughout the U.S. for many years. They visited all but a handful of the 50 states. Mrs. Corriveau was also an enthusiastic collector and enjoyed visiting antique shops and flea markets throughout New England. Having grown up near Windsor Lake, she was an active swimmer for much of her life. She also enjoyed roller-skating for many years. She was a loyal member of Red Sox Nation and cheered on the New England Patriots. She lived her entire life in "the Valley," the eastern end of Rich Street, near Mohawk Forest and Autumn Heights. Proud of her Irish and Yankee heritage, her roots in North Adams and the Berkshires, she was enthusiastic in her American patriotism, and enjoyed flying historic versions of the U.S. flag both at home and while camping. Her biggest joy was large family gatherings for holidays and other special events.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Corriveau leaves four daughters: Jamie Rose and her husband, Truman R. Southworth Jr., of Bennington, Vt., Deborah Jean and her husband, George Forgea, of North Adams, Katherine Ann and her husband, Steven Phillips, of Windsor, and Margaret Mary and her husband, William Clermont, of Franklin. She also leaves a brother, the Rev. Jerome Joseph Day, of Manchester, N.H.; grandchildren Abbey Southworth Spencer, T. Richmond Southworth III, Tyler Forgea, Laura Phillips Kaufman, Tina Phillips Charter and Hunter Phillips; and five great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her granddaughter Lee Ann Phillips.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Calling hours will be at the Flynn & Dagnoli- Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 Wesr Main St., North Adams, on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Jerome on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church, North Adams.
In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may make memorial donations to Develop North Adams Greenspace Initiative, American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association through the funeral home.