Kathleen 'Kate' (Hennessey) Primeau

Kate passed away peacefully, surrounded by love on March 3, 2021 at 79 years old. She is the daughter of Kieran Hennessey MD and Madelyn (Molly) Hennessey (Hoey). As the second oldest child of 11, Kate learned multitasking at an early age, soothing little one’s feelings and peeling 10 pounds of potatoes for an everyday dinner.

Kate spent time in Germany as a young army bride. Her first child was nearly delivered on the Autobahn with her husband John Primeau driving a VW Beetle at the speed of sound and her second was born mostly in the elevator. Wisely, her doctor put her in the hospital before her next two children were due.  Kate was the mother of 4 rambunctious children and her greatest achievement was raising these uncivilized little humans into responsible, compassionate adults. She taught them to love people and animals and the simple life lessons that were learned in kindergarten made her immensely proud of her adult children. When she found herself as a single Mom, she rose before dawn each day to put in a full day as a Visiting Nurse in the most vulnerable neighborhoods.  She did not have time to cook, but always made sure our fridge was full so, in her words, “they don’t turn on me!!”

After graduation from Salve Regina, one of her treasured positions was as a maternal child health nurse for hundreds of the most vulnerable Moms and babies and treated each child as if they were her own. At Hasbro Children’s Hospital as a home care coordinator, she was a fierce advocate for those without a voice and helped many navigate the healthcare system during their most trying times.  The stories of her calm determination to secure the right care at the right time are legendary.

With her piercing green eyes and the straight-shooting attitude of a true beauty, Kate raised her children to be resilient, respectful, kind, caring and most of all BRAVE. We all took that to heart and it has been passed down to the next generation. Her pride and joy were her grandkids Casey Primeau, Jack Primeau and Patrick Welliver. Nana always showed up with a toy and chocolate and was up for every adventure from a backyard wiffle ball game, a game of scattergories while someone who shall remain nameless always cheated, kite flying, a Segway ride through woods of Golden Gate Park San Francisco (at 70!), road tripping on the back of Harley and taking in big waves at Scarborough Beach. The lobster steamer fests were loved by all; those were the days my friend, we wished they would never end.

In her later years, Kate gave and received joy by giving gold stars to typically underappreciated workers. If you have a gold star on your badge, you have met our Mom Kate.

In addition to her grandchildren, Kate is survived by her children Annie Primeau-Faubert (Steve), Mike Primeau (Tami), Jay Primeau and Jen Welliver. Her beloved siblings, the late Mary Lemay and Anne Shackett, Bill Hennessey, Jane McGuire, Margaret Buckley, Madelyn Humenay, Patricia Padula, Fran Padula, Mike Hennessey, and Elizabeth Stevens. Her cherished nieces and nephews on the Primeau and Hennessey side of the family were her loves and she freely offered a big hug and a cheek smooch or a tongue lashing, whichever you were asking for. Nobody ever received the knuckle sandwich.

Due to COVID protocols a celebration of life will be held at a later date. If you wish, donations to the RI Alzheimer’s foundation are welcome and appreciated.

Momma never ‘slipped on the banana peel’, which we were all so worried about.  In lieu of flowers, Kate’s lifetime legacy proves that one small act of kindness can change a person’s entire day. Pass it on. Do something kind, it changes the world. And always, always REMEMBER WHO LOVES YOU.