Kathryn E (Courtois) Brough

                                  Kathryn Elizabeth Brough

October 19, 1944-July 8, 2024

Kathryn Elizabeth Brough, age 79, of Chelmsford, MA passed away gently on July 8thencircled by a few of her many daughters.  She was born on October 19th, 1944, in Worcester, Massachusetts. She was the youngest of six and her arrival brought surprise and joy. She was dearly cared for by her older brothers and sisters who raised her to live a life of giving.  Shortly after graduating from technical high school, she left Worcester for New York City with her dear friend Rose to start her first career in bookkeeping.

 In between work and relentless shenanigans, she met her future husband, James Brough. They settled in Cos Cob, Connecticut and daughter Emilie soon followed as the last addition to Jim’s children, Christopher and Stephanie.  Kathy, Jim, and Emilie moved from there to England and shortly thereafter decided to reside in Canada to avoid Nixon’s America. There Kathy began developing her consummate culinary and hosting skills which so many enjoyed. Many recall that cars lined the streets for gatherings at Kathy’s.

Her next stop was in Chelmsford where her passion and generosity were directed to social justice and non-profit work while continuing her employment as director of operations for various small businesses. For almost forty years, she was an elected town meeting representative as well as an advocate to many who had lost everything, triaging services for residents at the Lowell Transitional Living Center. Kathy involved many hands in her countless commitments to service on a local and global level and few could resist her recruitment efforts to stir good trouble and share a good laugh.

Kathy knew that without intervention, poverty was a prison that confined mostly women. She distilled her years of community advocacy, activism and networking into the co- founding of Budget Buddies (now Women’s Money Matters) with friend Anita. For ten years they enlisted a cohort of executives to coach at risk women in financial literacy.  Their vision continues to lift the lives of so many.

To have been loved or mentored, to have sparred in vain or stood in solidarity, one thing burns brightly in our hearts: Kathy Brough treasured her family and friends while fighting for the rights and dignity of strangers.

A party to celebrate Kathy will be held on October 19th; details to be announced on https://www.lawlerfuneralhome.com/.

If so moved, please honor her memory by donating to the non-profit organization of your choice.