Kathleen A. Renfrew

Kathleen A. Renfrew, 74, of Milford, MA, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Milford, MA, the daughter of the late Daniel and Helen (Rand) Fitzpatrick. She was raised in Upton, MA and attended Memorial Elementary, and graduated from St. Mary of the Assumption High School in Milford, MA in 1969. She graduated from University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a B.S. in Human Development in 1973. She graduated from Trinity College in Burlington, VT with a M. ED of Professional Education in 1994. She earned a second M. Ed in Science Education from Lyndon State College in Lyndon, VT in 2005. She also earned a Teacher Leadership from Mount Holyoke, MA in 2016 and an Instructional Coaching Certificate from the University of Wisconsin in 2017.

Kathy started her teaching career as a classroom teacher in Australia from 1974-1976 with the Victoria Teacher Group. From 1976-2008 she was employed as a teacher at Bradford Elementary School in Bradford, VT, Union 36 School System in Waits River, VT, and Peacham Elementary School in Peacham, VT while living in Bradford, Ryegate, Wells River, and Barnet, VT with her husband Scott. As an elementary educator Kathy taught all the subjects however her favorite subject to teach was science. She became the “Science Lady”. She received a NSTA Toyota Tapestry Grant to build a log cabin with her students and local trade school outside of the Peacham School Building. She embraced her love of science and her motto was always to “Make sure kids are doing science instead of just reading about it.” After Kathy retired from public school teaching, she went on to further the education of all children through her work for the Vermont State Department of Education from 2008-2017. In 2000, Kathy earned the Presidential Award for Elementary Science Education from the White House.

Kathy and Scott relocated down to Milford, MA to be near their children and grandchildren. She loved watching her children grow up, attending her grandchildren’s sports games, and exploring the world with all of them. As she spent time with family and friends she continued to share her love of science through consulting work. She worked for WADE Institute for Science Education at Manoment Conservation Services in Plymouth, MA; she was a curriculum writer for Open Scied K-2, a K-3 curriculum writer for MySci, and a curriculum writer for Discovery Education. Kathy presented at many conferences, was a published author, earned numerous awards, and was a part of too many organizations to name.

She is survived by her husband Capt. Scott A. Renfrew of Milford, MA. In addition, she is survived by three children, Alexander F. Renfrew and his wife, Christine, of Saugus, MA, Gayle Lynn F. Melko and her husband, Peter, of Grafton, MA, and Dani Marie F. Brewer and her husband, Benjamin, of Carver, MA; five grandchildren, Riley W. Renfrew, Jaxson W. Renfrew, Samuel S. Melko, Aubrey J. Melko, and Davina M. Brewer; three brothers, Thomas Fitzpatrick and his significant other, Carolyn of Providence, RI, Timothy Fitzpatrick and his wife, Susan, of Eastham, MA and Daniel Fitzpatrick and his wife, Linda, of Plymouth, MA; one sister, Jane Smith and her husband David, of Marietta, GA, and she is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is previously deceased by her parents Daniel & Helen Fitzpatrick, grandparents Leonard & Jenny Rand, grandparents Timothy & Alice Fitzpatrick, uncle Lt. Richard Rand, KIA 1966 Vietnam, and sister-in-law Diane Fitzpatrick.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, May 31, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home, 45 Main St., Upton, MA with a prayer service at 12:30 P.M. At the conclusion of the prayer service everyone is invited to attend a reception at Highfields Golf and Country Club 42 Magill Drive, Grafton, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Thelma White Scholarship Fund. Please make checks payable to The Thelma White Scholarship Fund care of Peacham School District P.O. Box 271, Peacham, VT 05862.

A private burial will be done at a later date in the Rand/Fitzpatrick Family plot in the Lakeview Cemetery in Upton, MA.