"AFTER SOME COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONS, I WANT TO OFFER CONDOLENCES TO ALL THE CARRELLAS-DONNELLY FAMILY ON THE DEATH OF KATHLEEN. AS A BROTHER OF SHEILA MURPHY,SSJ, A CLASSMATE AT St KAY\'S \'65, AND HAVING KNOWN JUDGE ARTHUR IN THE COURTS, I AM COMPELLED TO MY OWN SYMPATHIES TO ALL. MAY GOD HOLD KATHLEEN, BRIAN AND ALL IN THE HALLOW OF HIS HAND."
In loving memory of
Kathleen T. Donnelly
December 26, 1947 - November 10, 2020
Kathleen T. (Carrellas) Donnelly, age 72, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away on November 10, 2020. She was the wife of the late Brian Donnelly.
Kathy was born in Newport, RI to Judge Arthur Carrellas and Rose (Santos) Carrellas. She grew up in Newport and graduated from St. Catherine's Academy. She then graduated with a degree in Mathematics from Regis College. She soon began her family and moved to Portsmouth in the early 1970s. Over the years she worked a few small jobs until she found a position at NUWC as a computer scientist where she worked on submarine technologies.
Over the years she enjoyed participating with her daughter's activities, but loved spending time with her grandchildren the most. Kathy was an avid reader, played piano as a young woman, and loved crossword puzzles, and spent her recent years enjoying "Murder She Wrote" and other mystery shows.
Kathleen is survived by her two daughters Laurie Benson and Heather Boiani and her husband Mark, all of Portsmouth, and her brother Arthur Carrellas, Jr also of Portsmouth. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Brittany Boiani, Jessica Benson, Emma Boiani, and Nicholas Boiani.
She was preceded in death by her husband Brian Donnelly and a daughter Kayleigh Donnelly.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 13, 2020 from 4:00-7:00pm in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth.
A private burial will follow at St. Columba Catholic Cemetery in Middletown, Rhode Island.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/
Tributes
"Sorry to hear about the loss of your sister, Twitch. My thoughts are with you and your family. Stay well."
"Kathy was a close friend starting in Junior High. We had lots of fun together and enjoyed ourselves, far too much according to her mother.She was in my wedding. I will miss her dearly. To Arthur and her girls and beautiful grandchildren, please accept my sympathy and prayers. Mary Kelly Silvia"
"I am beyond saddened by your Mom?s passing. She was my best childhood friend. Kathy and Art, Don and me (all in the back seat of your grandmother?s car) went everywhere together when we were little. From third beach in the summer for fun in the sun to the salt marshes in wintertime for ice skating. We would style each other?s hair, compare notes on the cute boys we would meet, even stole some of your grandparent?s booze for our first taste in the basement of the Dudley Avenue house (shhh, don?t tell the Judge!) We always had so much fun, sometimes too much fun, much to your grandmother?s dismay. Such fond memories. ? I won?t be able to say goodbye in person because of this damn COVID, but I hope, when we can safely get together again, that we can plan a gathering to honor your Mom?s memory. Sending hugs and love to you all. Xoxo, Jude"
"sad to see this ."
"I met Kathy in 2013 when she had an horric fall during the first anniversary of her late husband Brian. Her daughter Heather knew I was a certified caregiver and gave me a call. I decided to go and meet this Lady and I remember our first encounter. She said, \" yes I smoke.\". I simply smiled and said, I\'m a cancer survivor of 2010, if you want my assistance, there will be no smoking on my watch. Think about it.\". I left my card and within a day I received a call from her accepting my services. I took care of her for 4 years until she went into Atria. We had a wonderful relationship. I could share many things with her and she with me. She was a very intelligent, beautiful, funny loving Lady who I had the pleasure of knowing. I will miss her dearly. Donna Rose"