Katherine Murphy Fossett Moody

AUGUSTA – Katherine Fossett Moody, 97, passed away on Oct. 4, 2021, at the Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation. She was known as Kay by family and friends. Kay was born on Sept. 20, 1924, the youngest child of James E. Murphy and Annie Wright Murphy. She lived most of her life in the Randolph – West Gardiner area and attended area schools. On Feb. 16, 1940, Kay married Clifton Fossett of Randolph, Maine. Mom and dad were married for 62 years until his passing on Feb. 14, 2002. During their time together mom and dad enjoyed going to area dances, fishing, and hunting. She was a member of the Biggest Buck in Maine Club. They also participated in field trials throughout the state with their various beagle dogs. Mom was not a stay-at-home mom. She went to work at the Commonwealth Shoe Factory when she was only 17 years old. Mom was a stitcher and floor lady (she distributed work to other employees in the department). Because of her incredible work ethic, she developed many skills in the production of shoes and boots. Mom could fix anything. She was also a cobbler who worked until the factory closed its doors for good. Kay was an avid reader with a desire to learn as much as she could. She loved to play bingo, play cards, go to the horse races, buy lottery tickets and bowl. Mom also had a great since of humor and had numerous stories to tell. Her grandkids love to hear her stories. On July 11, 2007, mom married Richard “Dick” A. Moody and they lived in Gardiner, Maine. They enjoyed traveling around the state and going out to lunch. They had a great time together until his passing on Dec. 20, 2010. In July of 2015, Kay moved to Augusta to live with her daughter, Joan. She lived there until Jan. 16, 2021 and shortly thereafter she resided at the Augusta Center for Health and Rehab. Kay was predeceased by her parents; her husbands; stepmother, Beverly Ellis Murphy; daughter, Lois Fossett Kittredge; sisters ,Christina Howard and Beulah Doyle; brother, Leroy Murphy; half-brother, James Murphy; son-in-law, Dennis Towle; and nephews, Linwood Frasier and Lee Murphy. Kay is survived by her daughter, Joan Towle; stepsons, David and Gary (Kim) Moody; half-brother, John Murphy; friend , Mary Kittredge; grandchildren, Gary Towle. Shawn Towle, Scott Kittredge, and Karen Kittredge Tobias; two great grandsons and five great granddaughters; and six great-great grandsons. At mom’s request there will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Fairbanks Cemetery, West Gardiner, Maine. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Katherine’s family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Augusta Center for Health and Rehab.for the care provided to her during her stay. A special thank you to staff for the numerous acts of kindness shown to Katherine and her family during her transition time. Arrangements are by Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, where condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website, familyfirstfuneralhomes.com