Kathleen M. Macione

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Kathleen Marie Macione, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, roles she cherished to the very end. Kathleen passed away peacefully from a courageous battle with cancer on July 23, 2024, at the age of 76.

Kathleen is survived by her two adoring daughters: Maureen Basmajian and her husband, Varant Basmajian, and their children, Alexander and Nora of Concord, MA and Amy Turcotte and her husband Stephen Turcotte and their children, Spencer and Kira of Peabody, MA. Kathleen was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Paul Macione (d. 2021) and her mother Irene Elizabeth Shea Sheehan (d. 1999) and her father Donald Rice Sheehan (d. 1965). Additionally, she leaves her devoted sister, Mary Agnes Sheehan, and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Daniel Macione, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born in Salem, MA, Kathleen led a life full of joy and happiness. She graduated from Salem High School in 1965 and UMass Boston in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She later received her Masters of Education degree from Suffolk University and continued her career as a Reading Specialist in the public schools in Lawrence and Peabody. Kathleen took great pride in teaching reading and encouraging the love of books to all children. A strong advocate for women and children, many turned to Kathleen for advice and ideas about how to navigate the world and make it better.

Kathleen will be remembered as everyone’s friend. She always loved meeting new people. Kathleen embraced everyone without judgment and shared her gifts enthusiastically. For all who were lucky enough to have spent time with her, they would find Kathleen to be selfless and generous. Kathleen was a great listener and particularly liked hearing about you and was interested to learn about new places to travel or visit.

Katheen will always be remembered for devotion to charity and spirituality. Her devotion was exhibited through her donations and mindset to help others. She volunteered at the food pantry in Peabody and was a member of St. Vincent de Paul at St. John the Baptist in Peabody. She was a communicant and a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Church in Peabody.

Kathleen met Paul Macione, her husband of 51 years, at Sandy’s in Beverly and they were happily wed thereafter. Most of their time together was spent in Peabody, MA in the Gardner Park neighborhood. Together they loved life and they especially enjoyed traveling to new places with family and friends. Often traveling without reservations or exact plans, Kathleen and Paul explored many less-known places and numerous countries and had many adventures.

Kathleen’s legacy will be one of love and dedication to her family and friends. Her daughters, Maureen and Amy, will not forget their many fun times they spent together at Sandy Island, many theater events and other interesting places. Especially important to Kathleen were her grandchildren who she cherished and supported in all their interests and eagerly brought them to many museums. She took immense pride in watching her grandchildren play sports and musical endeavors. In recent years, the family traveled together with trips to Hawaii and to Europe on a family cruise. Especially memorable to her daughters was the Easter Sunrise Service at Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. What an adventurous spirit she had and a gift that Kathleen shared with her grandchildren!

There were many circles and connections in Kathleen’s life. In addition to her beloved family, she was a part of so many circles – her spiritual circle, her old and new friends circle, her teacher circle, her St. Vincent de Paul Church circle, her bocce circle, her neighbor circle and the oldest of these her Dunlap Street & Mack Park circle in Salem where she grew up. All these circles would frequently intertwine into larger devoted circles of friends and family. Her circles and connections will continue through her legacy with her daughters and beloved grandchildren.

Kathleen enjoyed life to the fullest. When anyone talked about going somewhere or a mission to help others, her response was always “I’m in.”

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 10AM in Saint John the Baptist Church, Chestnut St., Peabody. Kindly meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Monday from 4-7PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Kathleen’s memory to the Carmelite Sisters, 5 Wheatland Street in Peabody, MA 01960 or St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. John the Baptist Church, 17 Chestnut St., Peabody, MA 01960. For guestbook and directions, please see www.LyonsFuneral.com.