Kathleen A. (McLean) Campbell

Kathleen A. (McLean) Campbell, 84, of Braintree, formerly of Easton, Arlington, Boston, and Roxbury, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2024 at the Ruth McLain Hospice Home in Braintree. Kathy was the beloved wife of the late George Campbell, and the former wife of the late George Kessler. Stepmother to Michael Kessler and Wendy Kessler Cody.

Kathy was born in Roxbury to Catherine (Healy) and Charles J. McLean Sr. and attended school at St. Patrick’s in Roxbury. Kathy moved to Lexington when she married her first husband George Kessler in 1968 and became the stepmother to George’s two children Michael Kessler and Wendy Kessler Cody.

Kathy met her second husband George Campbell in her teenage years when George was in the advertising business, and she was a model for the Marjorie Burr Talent Agency. Kathy and George Campbell reconnected years later. George had taken a job with Raytheon Corporation shortly before they married in 1975 and they lived in El Paso, Texas before moving to Jeda, Saudi Arabia where George accepted a job offer to build a TV studio in Jeda, Saudi Arabia, to make training films for the Hawk Missile System.

Kathy and George returned to Boston when his assignment ended and lived across the street from the Boston Common. Kathy was an extraordinary hostess when entertaining guests for concerts on the common or the Papal visit to Boston. Kathy and George Campbell were married for 14 years until his death in 1989 and became a widow at the age of 49.

After George passed Kathy took on increasing responsibility at Mass Gas & Electric, and eventually managed the showroom. Due to her outstanding work ethic, determination and the ability to face any challenge empowered her to reach financial stability and purchase a 2-bedroom condo in Arlington, MA where she resided for 30 years before to moving to Easton.

Kathy worked in retail sales or sales management well into her 70’s in such industries as jewelry, lighting, and clothing at establishments Bigelow and Kennard Co, Mass Gas & Electric, Wolfer’s Lighting, Chandi, Cache, and Chico’s.

Kathy was an extraordinary person and would embrace you with her presence. Her mind was sharp with insightful questions and with her masterful social skills would strike up conversations with strangers and would always have a compliment to share as well. She was witty, charming, compassionate, sincere, intelligent, and loving. Kathy was family orientated and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Kathy was predeceased by her parents Charles McLean Sr. and Catherine (Healy) McLean, her sister Patricia DeWolfe, her brother Charles McLean, her nephew William DeWolfe, and her niece Meaghan McLean. Kathy is survived by her brothers James and his wife Barbara of IL, Joseph and his wife Sandy of Brockton. Her brother-in-law William DeWolfe, and her sister-in-law Mary McLean. As well as many nieces and nephews and their extended family: Karen Kiss (Peter) of NH, Sheila DeWolfe (Paul), Jacqueline Isnor (Robert), Paula Welch (Bill), Matthew DeWolfe (Rebecca) Bryan DeWolfe (Reba), Lindsay McLean, Andrew McLean, Christopher McLean, Michael McLean (Heather) of IL, and Shawn McLean. Great Aunt of Erik DeWolfe (Erin), Christopher Welch (Danette) Taylor Kiss, Matthew DeWolfe, Michael DeWolfe, Codi DeWolfe, Layne DeWolfe, Audrey McLean and Nolan McLean of IL. Kathy is also survived by her great-great nieces Riley DeWolfe and Madigan DeWolfe, and her great-great nephew Christopher Welch Jr., and her best friend since 5th grade Joyce Downing.

The family would also like to acknowledge the staff at Old Colony Hospice, The Ruth McLain Hospice Home, ComForCare, and The Residence at Five Corners for the care and support services she has received since 2019.

Services for Kathy will be held at the Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St., Brockton, MA, Visiting hours will be Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 4:30- 7:30 p.m. Funeral service will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Waitt Funeral Home, burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park, MA.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that a donation be made in Kathy’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at their website https://act.alz.org/, or Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley St. West Bridgewater, MA, or the charity of your choice.

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