Kathleen A. Cordes, wife of the late Leslie G. Cordes, passed away peacefully on April 3 at the Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill with her loving family by her side.
She was born in Gardiner, Maine on Oct. 11, 1927, daughter of the late Arthur W. and Elsie M. (Edgerly) Sears. Raised in Maine and Amesbury, she graduated from Amesbury High School. Kathleen pursued many interests, including traveling, dancing, music, bingo, trips to Foxwoods, puzzles, and Wendy’s chocolate Frostys.
Her proudest accomplishment, and real and abiding passion in life, was her family. She proudly introduced herself to everyone she met as a great grandmother to many children, but also a great-great grandmother. Just before her passing it was revealed to her that she was going to be a great grandmother again later this year and she beamed with joy. Kathleen sought to instill in her family a zest for life, an unwavering commitment to family and always reached out with words of comfort for wounded hearts. She had a sense of humor that would send her family into fits of laughter.
Loving wife of the late Leslie G. Cordes who passed away in 1995. Her surviving family members include children Cheryl A. King and husband Lloyd of Methuen, Leland James and wife Fu Li of Haverhill; granddaughters Jamie K. Davidowicz and husband Jay of Haverhill, Cynthia M. Shimanski of Hermitage Tenn., Jodi L. Shimanski and fiancé Carlos Lopez of Haverhill, Meagan C. Welch of Manchester, NH and Kristin E. Eldridge and fiancé Joshua Anderson of Haverhill; fourteen great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. She was also the sister of the late Arthur F. Sears.
The family wishes to acknowledge the following people who cared for Kathleen. Many thanks to Holy Family Hospital nurses, case manager, and chaplain, Katie Leblanc of St Augustine’s in Andover for providing comfort and spiritual support during their days of sorrow. A very special thanks and profound appreciation to the staff and caretakers at Haverhill Crossings where Kathleen had resided for the past two years. Specifically, they wish to acknowledge the very special relationship she had with her CNA Diane Stevens who took extra care and time to assist Kathleen with her personal care, especially on the wedding day of her great-granddaughter, maintenance crew member Thomas “Tom” Costello who would drop whatever he was doing to sit and work on puzzles with Kathleen, and Peter Dallaire, her favorite bingo caller, who always made sure Kathleen was included in trips off site.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 6 in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 So. Main Street, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 So. Main Street, Haverhill. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Kathleen’s memory to the Sacred Hearts Food Pantry, 48 So. Chestnut Street, Haverhill, MA 01835. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com