Obituary for Amy L. Meadows (Keefe)
Amy Lauren Meadows (nèe Keefe) of Arlington, age 67, passed away peacefully at home early in the morning of February 16th, after succumbing to glioblastoma. She spent the last week of her life surrounded by family and close friends, which showed her strength in cultivating relationships.
Amy was known for her deep, long-lasting relationships. She was a devoted wife just shy of 40 years to her husband, Scott Thomas Meadows of Arlington. She was also a dedicated mother to three daughters and two sons-in-law – Julie Anne Meadows of Arlington, Maryanne Meadows Sherburne and her husband Andrew Sherburne of Arlington, and Laura Pauline Khatchatourian (nèe Meadows) and her husband Patrick Khatchatourian of Watertown. In 2021, Amy was thrilled to become a grandmother to Magnolia Mae Sherburne of Arlington and Charles Edward Khatchatourian of Watertown. Amy poured her time and energy into supporting her newborn grandchildren after their birth in the Spring and Summer of 2021. She was looking forward to providing regular childcare for her grandchildren while their parents worked. Unfortunately, an unexpected brain tumor and subsequent surgery in early 2022 interrupted Amy’s plans to help raise her grandchildren.
Amy was also a faithful daughter to mother Pauline Agnes Barstow (nèe O’Reilly) of Arlington. She was predeceased by father George John Keefe and stepfather Merton Charles Barstow, Jr. Amy balanced caring for her children and grandchildren with caring for her aging mother. When Amy retired from her career as a computer software developer at the end of 2018, she stated that her newfound free time would be spent supporting her elderly mother with dementia. Pauline fondly describes how Amy visited every day to do “silly things,” such as crocheting and watching The Waltons. Additionally, Amy maintained a close relationship with her sister, Nancy Keefe Phillips and her husband Stephen Phillips of Medford. Amy proudly wore the title of Aunt to Sarah Emily Phillips of Kittery Point, Maine and Katherine Elizabeth Donovan (nèe Phillips) of Wilmington. She was also a caring aunt to many other nieces and nephews on her husband’s side of the family. Amy’s decades-long friendships were a top priority as well. Her best friend of 50 years, Susan Barry Breviglia of Canton, and close friend Susan Godek Andreotolla of Stoneham, demonstrated the depth of their friendship by sitting with Amy’s family by her bedside for the last few weeks of Amy’s life.
Although relationships came first in Amy’s life, she was also accomplished academically, professionally, and in the community. Amy graduated from Arlington High School in 1973 and Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth) in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a teaching certification. Although she started her working years as a teacher-in-training, the job market pushed Amy in a different direction. Upon passing an aptitude test, Amy trained as a computer programmer at John Hancock in the 1980s. In her 38 year career at John Hancock, Amy worked on multiple initiatives for the company, including building an IT system in 1986 that is still in use today. Her coworkers say that her knowledge, experience, quick wit and generous spirit enabled her to make an impact on her teams and form friendships that continued after her retirement. When she wasn’t working or caregiving, Amy contributed her time and talents to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Arlington and the Read to a Child program in the Somerville Public Schools. As a St. John’s parishioner for 35 years, Amy volunteered in a range of capacities, including as Sunday School teacher, Coffee Hour Hostess, Vestry Member, and Clerk. Upon her retirement from John Hancock, Amy also volunteered as an adult reading partner to an elementary school student in the Somerville Public Schools.
Amy’s untimely death was felt deeply by the many people she touched in her life. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Amy’s name to the Glioblastoma Research Foundation, the Read to a Child program, or the Sanborn Foundation. Family and friends are invited to Amy’s visitation and funeral services. Visitation will be at Keefe Funeral Home in Arlington from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on February 20th. Funeral services will be at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Arlington at 11:00 AM on February 21st.
Amy was known for her deep, long-lasting relationships. She was a devoted wife just shy of 40 years to her husband, Scott Thomas Meadows of Arlington. She was also a dedicated mother to three daughters and two sons-in-law – Julie Anne Meadows of Arlington, Maryanne Meadows Sherburne and her husband Andrew Sherburne of Arlington, and Laura Pauline Khatchatourian (nèe Meadows) and her husband Patrick Khatchatourian of Watertown. In 2021, Amy was thrilled to become a grandmother to Magnolia Mae Sherburne of Arlington and Charles Edward Khatchatourian of Watertown. Amy poured her time and energy into supporting her newborn grandchildren after their birth in the Spring and Summer of 2021. She was looking forward to providing regular childcare for her grandchildren while their parents worked. Unfortunately, an unexpected brain tumor and subsequent surgery in early 2022 interrupted Amy’s plans to help raise her grandchildren.
Amy was also a faithful daughter to mother Pauline Agnes Barstow (nèe O’Reilly) of Arlington. She was predeceased by father George John Keefe and stepfather Merton Charles Barstow, Jr. Amy balanced caring for her children and grandchildren with caring for her aging mother. When Amy retired from her career as a computer software developer at the end of 2018, she stated that her newfound free time would be spent supporting her elderly mother with dementia. Pauline fondly describes how Amy visited every day to do “silly things,” such as crocheting and watching The Waltons. Additionally, Amy maintained a close relationship with her sister, Nancy Keefe Phillips and her husband Stephen Phillips of Medford. Amy proudly wore the title of Aunt to Sarah Emily Phillips of Kittery Point, Maine and Katherine Elizabeth Donovan (nèe Phillips) of Wilmington. She was also a caring aunt to many other nieces and nephews on her husband’s side of the family. Amy’s decades-long friendships were a top priority as well. Her best friend of 50 years, Susan Barry Breviglia of Canton, and close friend Susan Godek Andreotolla of Stoneham, demonstrated the depth of their friendship by sitting with Amy’s family by her bedside for the last few weeks of Amy’s life.
Although relationships came first in Amy’s life, she was also accomplished academically, professionally, and in the community. Amy graduated from Arlington High School in 1973 and Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth) in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a teaching certification. Although she started her working years as a teacher-in-training, the job market pushed Amy in a different direction. Upon passing an aptitude test, Amy trained as a computer programmer at John Hancock in the 1980s. In her 38 year career at John Hancock, Amy worked on multiple initiatives for the company, including building an IT system in 1986 that is still in use today. Her coworkers say that her knowledge, experience, quick wit and generous spirit enabled her to make an impact on her teams and form friendships that continued after her retirement. When she wasn’t working or caregiving, Amy contributed her time and talents to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Arlington and the Read to a Child program in the Somerville Public Schools. As a St. John’s parishioner for 35 years, Amy volunteered in a range of capacities, including as Sunday School teacher, Coffee Hour Hostess, Vestry Member, and Clerk. Upon her retirement from John Hancock, Amy also volunteered as an adult reading partner to an elementary school student in the Somerville Public Schools.
Amy’s untimely death was felt deeply by the many people she touched in her life. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Amy’s name to the Glioblastoma Research Foundation, the Read to a Child program, or the Sanborn Foundation. Family and friends are invited to Amy’s visitation and funeral services. Visitation will be at Keefe Funeral Home in Arlington from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on February 20th. Funeral services will be at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Arlington at 11:00 AM on February 21st.