Kate (Murphy) Toohey
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Published in March 2019
TOOHEY, Kate (Murphy) Age 60, has finally lost her battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). After two years of ceaseless struggle with the disease, she died at her home in Newton where she was being cared for by a circle of loving and dedicated family members and friends.
Kate earned a law degree from New England Law School, a Master’s Degree in Taxation from Boston University and a Master’s Degree in Education from U Mass Boston. She had a life-long love of learning before realizing she was happiest teaching others. Her last and favorite career was as a math teacher at Wakefield High School from 2002 through 2008. She started her teaching career at the age of 53 after working as a lawyer, a tax consultant and preparer, a bookkeeper and various other jobs.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Philip Whitehead, sons Liam Toohey and Nolan Whitehead, daughter-in-law Hanako Williams, grandson Finnegan Toohey, sister Lynn Grewe, brother Tynan Murphy, sister-in-law Leslie Murphy and countless friends and extended family members.
ALS robbed her of her ability to walk, to talk, to eat and finally to communicate but it never robbed her of her positive spirit, her stubborn need to persevere, her sense of humor, or her generous and loving nature.
An open house will be held at Kate’s home in Newtonville at 59 Wildwood Avenue on Saturday, March 14 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Kate Toohey’s name to Compassionate Care ALS (www.ccals.org).
