Kathleen Anne Saunders, 86, of Ashland passed away Tue. Nov. 24th surrounded by family. Born in Framingham, she was the daughter of the late James and Josephine (Rose) Nolan. She was the beloved wife of Francis L. Saunders Sr. and would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary Dec. 6th. Mrs. Saunders worked for NE Telephone and Telegraph as an operator before moving to Dennison Mfg. where she worked for over 30 years retiring as a receptionist. She was a lifelong member of St. Cecilia's Parish in Ashland and a member of several drum and bugle corps as well as an avid Bruins fan.
In addition to her husband; she is survived by six children; Frank Saunders and his wife Charlene of Medway; Sherry Hart and her husband Lonnie of Ashland; Kathy Morini and her husband Bobby of Medway; Mary-Jo Saunders of Ayer; Jamie Saunders and his wife Marla of Millbury; and Michael Saunders and his wife Yvette of Clinton; sixteen grandchildren; Jennifer Ricci, Andrea Bailey, Daniel Saunders, Kristine Hart, Kari Rowland, David Morini, Elizabeth Loura, Joe Morini, Jeff Whalen, Melissa Schoemmell, Kyle Banks, Emily Saunders, James Saunders, Erin Saunders, Christopher Saunders, and Matthew Saunders, and 10 great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Edith Sullivan and Edmund Nolan.             A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday Nov. 28th at 9:00am in St. Cecilia's Parish, 54 Esty St. in Ashland with burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery in Ashland. Calling hours will be held Friday from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. Ashland. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ashland Ambulance Fund, 70 Cedar St. Ashland, MA 01721.