Peabody - The family of Katherine Anne Smyrnios, née Fitzgerald, also formerly known as Katherine Anne Grimes, is deeply saddened to announce that she passed away peacefully on December 17. She was 92.

"Kay" was born at Ipswich Hospital in Ipswich, MA, on October 27, 1933, to Charles F. Fitzgerald, an inventor at the United Shoe Machinery Corporation, and Alice L. (Coffill) Fitzgerald, a teacher. Because her mother was recuperating from a difficult delivery, Kay went unnamed for several days, during which time the hospital nurses dubbed her "Doll"—a nickname that remained an affectionate family name well into her later years.

Despite early signs of dyslexia, Kay became an avid reader. As a young girl, she once won a summer reading contest in Beverly by reading more books than anyone else in the city. She attended Beverly High School, where she was a member of the Dramatic and Art Clubs. Before graduating, she met and married Arthur Grimes - just shy of her 17th birthday. Together they raised three sons before later divorcing.

Beginning her career as a punched-card clerk, Kay worked her way up to become a computer manager at New England Telephone, where she oversaw the operation of a room-sized IBM System/360 dedicated to customer billing. Following the breakup of the Bell System, she moved into corporate sales at NYNEX and was eventually promoted to regional systems analyst. Her accomplishments as a professional woman—particularly after leaving high school early to start a family—were remarkable. Though she never thought of herself that way, she was truly a women's equality pioneer.

While working at New England Telephone, Kay met the love of her life, Peter Smyrnios, a charming and indefatigable Greek American who introduced her to the Greek language, food, dance, and music. They spent many happily married years together and traveled extensively, including numerous trips to Greece and the Caribbean, as well as to Canada, Croatia, Ireland, Egypt, Turkey and Japan. At various times they made their home in Peabody, MA; Hudson and Port Richey, Florida; and Santa Fe, New Mexico, before ultimately returning to Peabody.

Kay was exceptionally generous, had a big heart, a quick mind, and a delightfully quirky sense of humor. She embraced life and deeply loved her family—immediate, extended and blended—as well as her many friends. She experienced profound loss early in life: her brother John died in 1957 at the age of 29, and her father followed in 1964 at just 59. Though these losses deeply affected her, they also strengthened her resilience. After Peter passed away in 2014, she continued living alone, tending her garden and looking after two dogs and a cat. That she managed to live alone during this period was entirely due to the frequent visits and loving assistance of her stepson Peter ("Young Pete") Smyrnios, whom she loved just as much as her own children. Over the last few years, she bravely mourned the passing of nearly all her cousins and friends and former schoolmates. In 2022, needing more assistance, she moved with her beloved dog, Sophie to Odenton, Maryland, to live with her devoted son David and grandson Joshua. There she lived comfortably with her family until just two days before her death. Her life ended peacefully at the Gilchrist Hospice Care Center in Towson, Maryland.

We will miss you, Doll.

In addition to son, David Grimes and grandson, Joshua Grimes, Kay leaves behind: grandson Jonathan Grimes (Jennifer) of Clarksburg, Maryland and great-grandsons, Gavin and Jaxson; granddaughter Bethany Grimes (Pam) of Kansas City, Missouri; son Arthur Grimes of Port Charlotte, FL; son, John Grimes (Nataley) of Kelowna, BC, Canada and grandson Stephen F. Graham of Hailey, Idaho; stepson Peter Smyrnios (Barbara) of Peabody, Massachusetts and step grandsons Ryan and Dean Smyrnios; stepdaughter Diana Rawding (Judson), step grandson Dana Rawding (Tamara) and step great-grandchildren Susan and Etha, step grandson Sean Rawding (Denise) and step great-granddaughters, Sarah and Faith, step granddaughter, Kera Satagaj and step great-grandsons, Troy, Zachary, and Kyle.

Kay has been cremated, her urn will be buried with that of her beloved husband, Peter Smyrnios, in the veteran's section of the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Peabody, MA this coming spring with a small graveside gathering of close family and friends.