Frances T. Kay, 96, of Shrewsbury

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obit-frances-kayShrewsbury – Frances T. “Fran” (Thomson) Kay, 96, of Shrewsbury passed away at home Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, surrounded by family. Fran was married to the late John S. Kay, for 46 years.

Fran was born and raised in Worcester, daughter of the late Joseph and Petronella (Giedra) Tomasunas. She graduated from Grafton High School and Boston University with a Bachelor in Nursing. She continued her education, receiving a Master’s Degree from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing, and post-graduate studies at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

She leaves her children, John F. Kay, his wife Cindy, and their two children, Kevin and Samantha, of North Andover; Maryanne F. Lane and her husband Earl of Worcester; and Nancy T. Kay of Shrewsbury, as well as nieces Anne Marie Reidy of Worcester and Jean Jerus of Florida, friends Evelyn Bradshaw and Marion Waterhouse, her two beloved cats, Max and Finn, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by six siblings, John, Joseph, Frank, Mary, Anna and Helen.

Fran was the best mother ever, an exceptional RN and nursing instructor, and a talented artist working in mediums from wood to acrylic painting. She was a great cook, loved restoring furniture, and an avid reader, completing 3-4 books weekly up to her passing. She was a dedicated partner to our father in life and business. She was kind to everyone and had great social insight. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren Kevin and Samantha. She enjoyed travel, and visited many places across the U.S. with her sisters and family.

She was a true “Nurse’s Nurse” and a credit to her profession. After graduating from MGH, her career started in Boston working in the Public Health Homecare Division, and she then was the youngest nursing supervisor at that time at Mass General Hospital. Fran was working the night of the Coconut Grove Fire, and was instrumental in organizing the care and treatment of the great number of patients brought in. Later, she was on duty at Hahnemann Hospital when the Tornado of 1953 struck Worcester. This was before the initiation of disaster training – Fran was one of the few medical professionals onsite who had knowledge and experience with a catastrophic event, and her organization skills and guidance were critical to helping many patients receive treatment that day.

In Worcester, Fran was a Clinical Instructor and Medical Supervisor for Worcester City Hospital, Assistant Director of Nursing at Worcester Hahnemann Hospital, Director of the School of Nursing and Nursing Service for Memorial Hospital, and retired from the David Hale Fanning Trade School as a Practical Nursing Instructor.

Fran was a member of the Massachusetts Retired Teachers Organization, MGH Alumni Association, and a member of Saint Mary’s Church.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Fran’s family Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 10-11 a.m., in the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. A prayer service celebrating Fran’s life will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery of Shrewsbury.

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