Kathleen A. Kelley died Aug. 13, 2017. She was the devoted daughter of the late Edward and Alice (Maguire) Kelley.  Kathy was born April 15, 1945 and grew up in Winchester and her beloved Harwich Port. She graduated from Boston State College (University of Massachusetts) and began her career as an elementary teacher in Boston in the late 1960’s. Kathy became actively involved in the Boston Teachers Union.  She was elected to the Union’s Executive Board in 1973.  In 1975 she was elected to the full time position of Elementary Field Representative, and in 1979 she was elected President of the BTU. In 1983 she went to work for the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers (now called AFT Massachusetts) as a Field Representative and Lobbyist, and in 1993 she was elected President of the state Federation. She served as President until her retirement in 2006.

Kathy was the recipient of several awards and honors; including the Massachusetts AFL-CIO Merit Award for outstanding service to the labor movement (1992)) and the Boston Labor Guild’s  Cushing-Gavin Award as an outstanding labor leader (2005). Throughout her career, Kathy served on a number of Boards and Committees; including The Executive Council of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Citizens for Public Schools, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center,  and the Early Education for All Advisory Board.

Kathy was a strong and effective advocate for union members; but she was equally dedicated to advancing educational programs that benefitted the students in the public schools.  She was particularly passionate about the need for quality early childhood programs and full-day kindergarten for all.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Gregory ‘s Church, DORCHESTER, Friday, Aug. 18,  at 10 o’clock. Visiting Hours in the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St., DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Thurs 4 – 8 pm. Interment Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline.

If desired, contributions in Kathy’s memory may be sent to Alzheimer’s Association 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.  For further information please visit www.dolanfuneral.com