Southborough – Katherine (Irwin) Best, 83, of Southborough, died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at Beaumont Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center in Westborough. She was the wife of the late Earl W. Best, who passed away in 1995.
Born in Pittsfield, she was the daughter of the late Reginald and Katherine (O”Connor) Irwin. She earned her bachelor degree at North Adams State; her master's degree at Framingham State, and her PhD at Boston College.
She was a teacher, assistant principal, and coordinator of special education in Natick.? After earning her PhD, Kate became the assistant chairman of special education and rehabilitation for Boston College.
Kate was a very active member of St. Matthew Church in Southborough, where she taught CCD for many years. She loved to teach, whether it was 3rd grade, special education, college students, or CCD at church.
She leaves her daughter, Maryjane Giacalone and her husband, Frank, of Southborough; two grandchildren, Emily Giacalone and her husband, Scott Sandler, and Matthew Giacalone and his wife, Katie; and four great-grandchildren, Olive, Talulah, Corrina, and Benjamin.
Visiting hours will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 – 10:30 a.m., at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Southborough. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Church, Highland Street, Southborough. Burial will be private in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Pittsfield.
Memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to St. Matthew Church, 105 Southville Rd., Southborough, MA 01772.
To leave words of condolence to the family, visit www.morrisfuneralparlor.com.
