This Award is named in memory of Virginia Boulay, a deceased charter member of the Parade Committee whose warmth and generosity truly personified the Irish greeting, “Caed Mile Failte”, or “One Hundred Thousand Welcomes”. Given to a St. Patrick’s Parade Committee member, the Virginia Boulay Award honors one who is always welcoming to others.
Kathy is a proud member for over 20 years of the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. She is also a proud member of the Worcester AOH/LAOH Honor Guard, Division 36.
Kathy was born and raised in Worcester and made her career after graduating from Becker Jr. College as a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. She worked many years at the Glavin Regional Center, the Jewish Healthcare Center and retired from the Worcester Public Schools.
She has strong Irish roots as her paternal and maternal grandparents were born in Galway, Waterford, and Roscommon.Her parents Marty and Peggy Melia were charter members of the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee and both received the Virginia Bouley Award in 2000.
Kathy will be married 50 years this May to her husband David and has three children: David and daughter-in-law Heather, Meaghan, Katie and two adored grandchildren Zoey and Nathan. Come Parade day along with others she can be found distributing the Parade Banners.