Patch Columnist Kathleen Regina Taraschi, Dead at 62

Kathleen Regina (Kelly) Taraschi of Dedham, formerly of Hingham, passed gracefully and courageously from this life on April 7, 2012 at Kaplan Family Hospice in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Kathy was born on April 4, 1950, in Dorchester to Walter J. Kelly and Margaret (Murphy) Kelly of Hingham. 

After graduating from Sacred Heart High School in Kingston, Kathy studied Theater and English at University of Rochester and studied voice at the Eastman School of Music, both in Rochester, NY. 

She lived for several years in Philadelphia, PA before returning to Massachusetts and ultimately settling in Dedham. A dedicated runner, Kathy ran the Boston Marathon four times, as well as the Chicago Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, and 10 others around the country.

Kathy was also an avid Red Sox fan and a talented jazz singer, and had the joy of bringing her love of baseball and singing together when she was asked to sing the national anthem at Fenway Park on September 3, 2011.  

Kathy will be remembered by those who knew her as a lyrical singer with bright blue eyes and a contagious spirit of generosity and kindness. Kathy’s thoughtfulness extended to creatures large and small. After moving to Dedham, she returned to her former home in Sherborn every week to refill the hummingbird feeders so the birds would not go hungry. It was no surprise that eventually a pair of hummingbirds found Kathy in Dedham.

Kathy is survived by her husband Robert Taraschi, of Dedham, her brother James P. Kelly of Hingham, her sister and brother-in-law Marguerite Kelly and Tony Barrett of Harpswell, ME, her sisters Patricia “Rhea” Kelly of Hingham, and Christine M. Kelly of Worcester, as well as her loving Westies John Henry and Connie Mac. 

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held in her honor at 10 am on Saturday, April 21 at St. Susanna’s in Dedham, 262 Needham St.; internment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kaplan Family Hospice House, 75 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923.