Kathleen S. Traylor

Kathleen Susanne (Hunt) Traylor, 65, of Bolton, passed away peacefully Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at home in the presence of her loving family. She is survived by her beloved husband Andrew Traylor and granddaughter Delilah McDonald of Bolton. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Violet McDonald in 2014. 

Katie is also survived by her sons Lincoln McDonald of Asheville, N.C., and Timothy McDonald of Massachusetts; her stepsons Scott Traylor and his wife, Amanda, and their children Zachary and Nyla, of Glens Falls, N.Y., Christopher Traylor of Gardner, Mass., and Harrison Traylor and Meg Hall of Candia, N.H.

She also leaves her brother, William Hunt, and his wife, Joanne, of Bermuda; her sisters Jeannie Hunt of Northampton, Mass., and Nancy Hunt of Jacksonville, Fla.; her aunt, Sheila Rose, of Canada; and numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

The daughter of the late Alexandrina G. (Rose) and C. Fraser Hunt, Katie grew up in Longmeadow, Mass., attending Longmeadow public schools, after which she matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa., where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy. She later earned a Master of Health Sciences degree at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

During a rich and rewarding 41-year career, thousands of patients, clients and students benefitted from Katie’s knowledge, expertise, care and compassion. Her career in physical therapy spanned coast to coast - never just a job but a passion for helping others. She worked in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics, and as university faculty and the leader of a large physical therapy department. Her true love was home care. Her clients were never just clients or patients, they were human beings who were always treated with loving care, kindness and respect.

Her love of Jesus Christ was evident in her work and her life, exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version). Her “life verse,” the verse she depended upon no matter what she was going through, was Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (New International Version). She always had a smile on her face and explained it as the joy she got from God and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Regardless of where she lived, Katie was active in her local church and brought her gifts to others, traveling twice to the Dominican Republic on mission trips, and, most recently and despite her own illness, delivering meals to those in need. Her great faith carried her through multiple years of serious health challenges, always with a positive outlook and faith that there were better days ahead. She was very thankful for the many healthcare professionals at Dana Farber who provided her with such excellent care and compassionate support over the years. 

Incredibly kind and caring in her personal life as well as in her professional life, Katie attracted like-minded people and formed deep, long-lasting friendships throughout her lifetime: with her fellow workers as a young adult at Deering Conference Center, Deering, N.H., with her Chi Omega Super Sisters at Penn, and with her dear church friends. Everyone whose path she crossed was better for knowing her. She will be terribly missed.

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend visiting hours Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson, MA 01749. A funeral service will be held Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Trinity Church, 14 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA 01740. Interment will follow with family and invited guests. 

Refreshments and food will be provided for attendees in the Fellowship Hall of the church after the burial.

In memory of Katie, donations may be made to the Delilah Christina Marie McDonald 529 education fund administered by Fidelity. Contributions can be made online via the following link: Donate Here