Katherine Connor Thompson Morais, 98, of Brunswick, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on April 17, 2015.  Kay, as she was known to friends and family, was born in Greenville, Maine on March 31, 1917, the second child of Henry David Joseph and Katherine (Cyr) Connor. 

Prior to moving to Portland, her early childhood was spent in central Maine. While residing in Portland, she attended St. Joseph’s School, Thomas B Reed School, Lincoln Jr. High & Deering High School.

Kay worked at Benoit’s during her time at Deering High, and learned tailoring through the WPA. She married Robert Thompson in 1939 and later divorced in 1943.  Kay was proud to help the war effort by working on the Liberty Ships as a tacker at Todd-Bath Iron Ship Builders in South Portland, Maine from 1943 to 1945.  Several years later she met and married Joseph Gerard Morais in 1947.  Moving to Brunswick, Kay worked at Verney Mill as a stripper cutting the small bits of thread off the bobbins, and later for Emile the Tailor until he left the area in the 1970’s. She worked at Health-Tex for many years, and retired from there.  She was a brilliant seamstress and made her daughters’ clothes, and branched out to sew for friends and relatives making everyday clothes, wedding & bridesmaid dresses, and prom dresses. She also sewed for many prominent Brunswick people, including the wife of the Commander of B.N.A.S. Many a convention dress was made for Phyllis Wilkins, a local hairdresser. One was displayed in the window of J E Davis, an exclusive Brunswick dress shop.  In the 1970’s Victoria Crandall hired her to work on costumes at the Brunswick Music Theater, now the Maine State Music Theater.  Her children were the beneficiaries of her hand crafts which included hand knit sweaters, hats and mittens, cross stitch, needlepoint and plastic canvas decorations.

Katherine is a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, and a Daughter of Isabella, having celebrated 45 years of membership in 2014.  She bowled with the Daughters until she was 90 years old and loved going on their “mystery trips”. She loved to travel and one of her favorite Sunday trips was to New Hampshire’s White Mountains.  Visiting Phyllis and family in Utah saw trips to several states visiting many National Parks and State Parks while there. Visiting Sharon & family saw many trips to visit the Mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, and Old Newgate Prison in Connecticut. Traveling to Switzerland, Hawaii, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and Walt Disney World with Jeanne Caouette was enjoyed as well. 

Kay is survived by four children, Ronald & Carole Thompson, Phyllis & Rickey Walker, Ruth & Robert Caouette and Sharon Wolf.  Nine Grandchildren, Dawn Thompson Forest, Carolyn Slayton, Jeffrey Doyon, Michael Doyon, April-Lyn Caouette, Andrew Caouette, Tammy Newton, Madelyn Keene, Katherine Keene, and 11 great-grandchildren.  Surviving brothers-in-law are Chanel “Whitey” Morais of California and Samuel Snyder of Delaware, also numerous nieces, nephews, several cousins, and many friends.

She is predeceased by her parents, her husbands, and five siblings.

The family wishes to thank the Staff of Dionne Commons for the five years of love and care given to her while she was there.  We also wish to thank the Staff at Freeport Nursing and Rehab for the love and care given to her during her final months. We are especially grateful for the end of life care given to Kay. You all touched Kay’s life and ours and we will be forever grateful.

A Memorial Mass is planned for mid-July, at a time and date to be announced.