Mary Kay Poe

Mary Kathryn "Kay" (Donahoe) Poe, 57, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, in the peaceful presence of her home surrounded by her loving family.
 
Born on September 21, 1965, in Paterson, New Jersey, Mary Kay was the daughter of Judy (Fitzsimmons) and James Donahoe and was raised in North Reading, Massachusetts. She went on to attend Endicott College where she graduated with a degree in secretarial sciences. Mary Kay spent the majority of her life in Andover, Massachusetts where she worked as the administrative assistant at Shawsheen School for 25 years before retiring in 2022. She was a beloved figure in the Andover Public School system where she made a lasting impact on both faculty and staff as well as parents and students. Her kindness, optimism, and compassion brought comfort to all of those who had the pleasure of knowing her.
 
Mary Kay’s greatest joy in life was her family, which included her husband, her two “girls,” and the family dog, Otis. She loved spending time with them whenever possible, whether that meant watching football on Sundays or visiting the North End for a family dinner. In the summer, her favorite season, she looked forward to “beach Fridays” and especially her annual vacation at Seaside Cottages on the Cape. She was a phenomenal cook who treasured family recipes that had been passed on through generations. Mary Kay loved simple pleasures such as spending time in her backyard, sitting in the sun, and listening to music, especially Bruce Springsteen. She was immensely grateful to have met her first grandchild, born in January of 2023, and be his Mimi.
 
Mary Kay was predeceased by her mother, Judy Donahoe, of Nokomis, Florida.
 
Mary Kay is survived by her devoted husband of 35 years this October, Carey Poe, of Andover, Massachusetts; daughters and son-in-law, Jessica (Poe) and Jonathan Howie, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Nicole Poe of Andover, Massachusetts; father, James Donahoe, of Nokomis, Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Debbie Donahoe, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts; and grandson, Gabriel Francis Howie, of Lawrence, Massachusetts. She also leaves behind several aunts and uncles, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and countless friends.
 
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Mary Kay Poe, directed to the Exercise & Diet in Breast Cancer Patients Fund in support of Dr. Jennifer Ligibel, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or online at dana-farber.org/gift.
 
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, from 2:00 to 6:00pm at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen, Massachusetts. A Celebration of Life Service will be held directly following visiting hours at 6:00pm in the funeral home chapel.