SALEM- Mrs. Kathleen (Ward) Atchason 64, of Salem, a renowned artist, was peacefully called home to the Lord on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late John Wallace and Pauline M. (Cadoret) Ward. She was raised and educated in Salem. She attended the former St. Chretienne Academy in Salem, graduating with honors in 1965. She matriculated to Montserrat College of Art, focusing on Psychology and Fine Art. She traveled abroad to study Art and Fashion Design at Grafton Academy in Dublin, Ireland. Her love and quest for knowledge continued at Boston University where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts and her Master's Degree in Education. Kathleen was a professional Fine Artist whose Christocentric work consisted of both the representations of interior castles and external realities and the use of bright colors and startling form. She owned and maintained the St. Michael Art Studio in the Joseph Story House on the Common in Salem. Her father, Attorney John W. Ward had the house designated a National Registered Historic landmark. She and her husband David Alan Atchason raised their three sons in the family home owned for over seventy years. Over the years, Kathleen hosted many parties as did her parents, toasting many political lions, most notably those of the Kennedy family, the Democratic Guard, Governor Chub Peabody and many other political titans. Eventually, Kathleen was able to place the very historic home into the capable hands of Attorney Neil and Martha Chayet. A renowned artist, Kathleen's paintings have been purchased by many prominent collectors throughout Massachusetts and the world, including many politicians and musicians. Her talent was described as combining art and metaphysics, Kathleen's paintings result in tales of epic proportion whose origins hover in distant lore. Reflecting mystery and beauty, through her paintings she was able to share her religion, her beliefs and her true inner sense of self with the world. Kathleen was an active member of both the Salem and Marblehead Arts Associations and exhibited annually with well known local artists in a Halloween show. She was an active communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem for over fifty years, Kathleen was a professed Carmelite Third Order Lay member for over fifteen years taking her final vows in June of 2011. She was a dedicated and devoted Catholic whose faith in God was unquestionable. She was a true and unique woman, who was a devoted mother, wife and friend, who will always be remembered and deeply missed. Her spirit will live on through her mystical art works. Kathleen is survived by her husband David Alan Atchason of Salem, her sons Christian Michael Atchason, Veteran - U.S. Army of Salem, John David Atchason, former Engineer N.A.S.A. of Malden and Daniel Coleman Atchason, Broadcasting Field of Salem and many loving cousins, extended family and friends. ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral will be held from The O'Donnell Funeral Home 46 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem, Monday, December 5, 2011 at 9:15 A.M. followed by her funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, Hawthorne Blvd, Salem at 10 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours Sunday from 2 to 6 P.M. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Kathleen's memory to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, 15 Mt. Carmel Rd., Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Massachusetts General Hospital, Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114. To share a memory or offer a condolence; visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com < http://www.odonnellfuneralservice.com/ > or for further information, inquire at 978-744-2350. [cid:tie_8CE7FE1F51A2B18_184C_14488]

O'DONNELL FUNERAL , MEMORIAL & CREMATION SERVICE DANVERS & SALEM 978-774-6600 978-744-2350