Katherine M. Puleo

Katherine M. (Galvin) Puleo, 74 of Holden, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Rose Monahan Hospice Residence surrounded by her dedicated and loving family. Katherine is survived by her husband of 53 years, Lucien P. “Lou” Puleo; two daughters, Joann Wilde and her husband Mark of Rutland and Jacqueline Degaetano of Port St. Lucie, FL; her brother, Thomas Galvin and his fiancé Katherine Coleman of Stoneham, MA; two sisters, Patricia Miranda and her husband Michael of Nashua, NH and Debra Marinello and her husband Frank of Somerville, MA; three grandchildren, Dan Wilde and his wife Joy of Paxton, Stephanie Mucci and her husband Steven of Holden, and Josiah Degaetano of Florida; two great grandchildren, Milania Mucci and Charlie Wilde; many nieces and nephews. Katherine was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a daughter to the late Joseph G. and Sonja M. (Koschuk) Galvin.  She graduated from Cardinal Cushing School in Boston.  Katherine later received an associate’s degree in nursing. Katherine was a gourmet cook who cherished feeding her family and friends. She loved the outdoors and was an avid skier who loved to take walks and tend her garden. Katherine was an active member of the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens, Old Sturbridge Village, and the Worcester Historical Society. She delighted in discovering new places to dine, as well as explore historical sites and antique stores. But perhaps most importantly to Katherine - and the many lives she touched - was her faith and work in ministry. Katherine became a born-again Christian in 1976 and was ordained as a minister in 1997. She was actively involved with several ministries and churches, considered a forerunner in the prayer movement in Massachusetts and beyond. She founded Weeping Willows Worship Ministry in 1990, dedicated to praying for the leaders and government of New England in repentance and revival. She was designated the Massachusetts State Coordinator for the Christian Coalition, where among her most significant achievements was starting a monthly prayer meeting at Boston City Hall and in the State House. For the first time in 130 years, over 220 pastors and legislators, including the Speaker of the House, attended a prayer breakfast at the State House organized by Reverend Puleo.   Katherine enjoyed her travels throughout Europe and Israel as well as her work in counseling and retreats with the homeless at the Boston Rescue Mission. She had a heart for America, politics, and culture, and impacted countless lives with her true gift for personal ministry. For pastors and government officials alike, the homeless and the hurting, Katherine had the ability to get to the heart of the matter and bring forth God's healing, deliverance, and restoration through His unconditional love.  Services for Katherine will be held on Monday, December 5, 2016 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester with a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at Freedom Worship Center, West Boylston.  Burial will follow in Mooreland Cemetery, Paxton.  A period of calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 4th from 2-5 p.m. in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, kindly consider making donations to: Freedom Worship Center, 141 West Boylston Street, West Boylston, MA. 01583.  To share your thoughts, memories and prayers, please visit her personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com