Kathy (Nerden) Romig

Kathy Romig lived her life to its fullest each and every day, always believing "Today is a good  day for a good day!" Eternally the loving and devoted wife to Dean S. Romig. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer nearly seven years ago. Kathy passed peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 73.

Katherine H. Nerden was born July 18, 1948 in Lynn, Massachusetts to the late Frank A. and Hope (Damory) Nerden. Moving to, and growing up in Danvers, she graduated from Danvers High School in 1968. Kathy married Dean, a Danvers native, in Saint Richard's Church in Danvers on September 26, 1970, and shortly thereafter, they began to grow their beloved family. They have made the Ballardvale section of Andover their home since 1976.

Kathy was a singer of lullabies and fun tunes, giver of warm hugs, an ear to listen and a giver of sage advice, a gardener, a baker, an athlete, a quilter, an outdoorswoman, and a champion of things she believed in. She was an amazing wife, Mum, Grammie, Sister and Auntie. She was sweet and loving, kind, caring and a little bit badass.

Kathy gave her daughters everything she could, and more. She also gave them a happy home and a wonderful childhood. She raised them with care and nurturing. She taught them how to be a Mum and what a loving family looks like.

While raising her own daughters, Kathy cared for young children in the Andover community working as an aide at the Ballardvale Preschool for many years. She then earned her degree in Cosmetology and developed great friendships with clients throughout her more than 25-year career. Kathy was also the favorite stylist of many of her family and friends.

Kathy's family was always at the center. Summers and the occasional winter weekend were spent at the family Cottage on Maranacook Lake in Maine, where wonderful memories were made with good friends and family of all generations. She loved to read a good book and do a challenging puzzle. Wednesdays were for the beach at Salisbury State Park with her sister Terry and anyone else who needed a "mental health day," and taking care of her grandchildren when they were little. Kathy recently said, "Do I miss those days? I sure do. Dean and I and the Leeds and Woods grandparents have the most wonderful grandkids ever and I like to think we helped with our loving care for them as we each had our days helping to raise up these fabulous young adults." She loved "going on an adventure," whether it be a car ride along the coast during a storm, a walk in the woods and fields, dodging the occasional electric fence, or a camping trip with people she loved. Kathy was also sure to have fresh baked brownies or cookies for the Andover plow drivers during a good snowstorm.

In addition to the love of her life since the age of 14, her husband Dean, she leaves her daughters, Jenny and Melissa and their husbands Eric Woods and Tyler Leeds; her grandchildren Isabella and Lillia Woods, Cameron and Katherine "Katie" Leeds all of Derry, N.H.; her siblings, Timothy Nerden and his wife Kathleen, Michael Nerden and his wife Susan, Kevin Nerden, Jamie Nerden and his wife Dawn, and sister and best friend, Teresa "Terry" Griffin and her husband John. She was predeceased in 1975 by her brother Dennis Nerden. Kathy is also survived by many nieces and nephews, dear cousins here in New England and in Ohio, and many dear friends.

A celebration honoring Kathy's life and 74th birthday will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 at Castleton Banquet Center, Windham, NH from 6 to 11 PM.

Memorials in Kathy's name may be made to:

St. Jude Children's Hospital
501 Danny Thomas Way
Memphis, TN 38105