Mary Fortin, 97, of Marlborough

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Marlborough – Mary Catherine Fortin, a longtime Marlborough resident and previously a resident of Cochituate and Wayland, died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. She was 97. Catherine, known as Kay, was an avid gardener, skier, golfer, cook, and Patriots fan, along with her husband of 37 years, George Fortin.

When Kay and George celebrated their 90th birthdays at a family gathering in 2007, Kay was asked for tips on having a long life. She said, “I think the secret is to be a busy person. If you sit on a chair when you¹re 75 years old, you¹re finished.”

Kay was born on Feb. 19, 1917, to Emily Bernard and Wilfred Peters in Riverside, R.I. In 1938, she married Elmer “Al” Peck of Cochituate. For many years, Kay worked as an LPN-geriatric nurse, caring for the elderly at the Cochituate Nursing Home and Kathryn Barton Nursing Home. Following Al’s death in 1974, she moved to Marlborough. She married George Fortin in 1977.

In 2013, Kay received the 17th annual George Fortin Fit for Life Award from Wayside Racquet and Swim Club.

Kay is survived by her loving husband, George; a stepsister, Leona Reeg of Woodward, Okla.; a daughter, Barbara Peck (David) of Dayton, Nev.; a son, Bob Peck (Nancy) of Eastham; a stepson, Paul Fortin of Boonville, N.Y.; and her stepdaughters, Catherine Waugh (late Stephen) of Berlin, Maureen Martin of Lowell, and Margaret Miller (Kent) of Plymouth. In the combined families, she is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband Elmer “Al” Peck; her daughter, Eunice; and her son-in-law, Stephen Waugh.

Visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 7, from 5-7 p.m., at the William R. Short & Son Funeral Home in Marlborough. On Saturday, Nov. 8, a funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, followed by burial.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Marlborough or Hudson community food pantries.

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