Contributions to the tribute of Kathleen Mary McGrath

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Sue Stricker posted a condolence

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

As sad as I feel over the loss of this beautiful woman, I keep smiling with happy memories of our long and wonderful friendship. Kay was an incredible friend, generous with her time, care and advice. She was wise and funny and honest and willing to be vulnerable. She always spoke of her friends with superlatives and made one feel like you were her very favorite when with her. She was lovely and gracious and delightful-what a gift to have known her! Sue Stricker

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Joan Martling uploaded photo(s)

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Kay and I have been friends since she was Kay Galligan and I was Joan Healy. TWA brought us together and what a journey we had. After she and Raymond married we would often drive to the airport together as they lived in Huntington and we lived in Oyster Bay. We shared many miles across the ocean to our hotel in Paris just off the Champs Elysees. My mother had met Kay and was charmed by her. Even long after she was married my mother would ask..and how is Kay Galligan? Here we are in this photo, ready to get on the Crew Bus to take us to our magnificent Eero Saarinen designed Terminal. Then to our Crew Briefing to our beautiful TWA airplane filled with passengers excited to begin their journey. We would spend the evening serving them drinks and dinner, show a movie and wait for sunrise to give them breakfast before arrival. What a joy for us to be able to bring joy to our passengers. What a life for us all! She and Raymond were so in love and loved their beautiful girls. I always wanted to tell them that their real first names are-My- as Kay always referred to them as, My Jennifer and My Laura. Fair Winds dear friend… Joan Martling

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Barbara Donsky uploaded photo(s)

Friday, March 25, 2022

During the 1960s—the Golden Years of aviation--Kay and I were roommates, flying for TWA International and sharing an apartment in Yorkville. Our flight schedules had us jetting off weekly to the capitals of Europe at a time when most people would have had a hard time fingering Berlin on a map. Kay, a sparkling personality with enthusiasm to spare, was great fun to work and live with. There was that time when we closed off the first-class cabin to perform a skit for the passengers: "Let me entertain you…Let me make you smile." High kicks and all. Our efforts paid off handsomely; the following day, we were front row guests at a bullfight in Madrid, courtesy of Senor Alfonso. (Kay is second from the left, between me and la Senora Alfonso. Working three days a week left us plenty of time for partying. The most happening place in the 60s was Malachy's on Third Avenue, which was right around the corner from the Barbizon Hotel for women. (Malachy was the younger brother of Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes.) Movie stars, including Grace Kelly, who lived at the Barbizon, dropped in at all hours. And thanks to a guy Kay met at Malachy's, one who insisted I meet his best friend, I met the love of my life. Sixty years later, I'm still thanking her.

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Brenda Wong uploaded photo(s)

Friday, March 25, 2022

I was lucky to get to know Kay from our days at TWA and flew International with her out of JFK. She was always so nice, fun to fly with, interesting to talk to and down to earth! She was so proud of her daughters. I lost touch with her after she told me she retired and was moving to one of her daughters homes. I enjoyed my trips with she and one of her closest friends - Alison "Nicky" Doyle - who preceded her in death. What lovely ladies! My heartfelt Condolences to Kay's two daughters & their families. Rest in Peace Kay, you will be truly missed. This lovely photo of Kay is from TWA flight attendant - Anita Ridpath!

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Patricia Griffin Wecht lit a candle

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Kay and I were friends since age 15 growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens. We loved to sing along with the juke box at Bauman’s Soda Fountain and later The Golden Note in Jackson Heights. She knew the words to wonderful Irish songs. I have so many memories of Kay. I admired her strength and courage in raising her two adored girls, Jennifer and Laura, after Ray died so suddenly. She went back to work at TWA and retired after approximately 38 years. She had a generous heart and was a friend to anyone in need. Kay was vivacious, energetic, hard working, and had a smile for everyone she met. Her bright and shinning spirit will live in the hearts of those many who were fortunate to know her.

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The family of Kathleen Mary McGrath uploaded a photo

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Nolan Funeral Home, Inc.

Kathleen Mary McGrath

1939 - 2022

Visitation at Funeral Home

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