Longtime Wellesley Townsman editor Catherine Brauner died on May 2 at the age of 75 after a recent illness. Her contributions to the town as a journalist and resident are being recalled by those who read her articles, worked and volunteered with her, and appreciated all that she did for the town—the town in which she grew up and later returned to for the bulk of her life and career. With her presence in residents’ homes every Thursday via the weekly newspaper, Cathy Brauner was an integral part of Wellesley.
Cathy was born in Darby, Penn., on Feb. 12, 1949, and was educated in the Wellesley Public School system followed by a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Drew University in 1971.
After graduation, she lived and worked in Washington, D.C. until her move to St. Albans, Vt., to start her journalism career. She was a staff reporter at the daily St. Albans Messenger until her move back to Wellesley. She then started as a part-time reporter for The Wellesley Townsman newspaper while pursuing her master’s degree in journalism from Boston University. Upon graduation from BU, she was promoted to the editor of the Townsman, where she worked for 29 years.
The daughter of the late William (a physicist and electrical engineer) and Phyllis (Wellesley College ‘40 and a professor of chemistry at Simmons College), Cathy and her sister Susan grew up on Benton Street. Cathy raised her two daughters, who also graduated from Wellesley High School. She was also a devoted dog mom to a succession of rescues who for years were mascots for the town’s Concerts in the Park, and who rode in the Townsman’s car during town parades.
Greg Reibman, former publisher of the Townsman, recalled, “Cathy Brauner was tenacious. I’m sure there were more than a few town leaders who were quite fearful anytime she called, or when the Townsman would arrive each Thursday. But that’s because she loved Wellesley passionately and believed in holding her hometown leaders to the highest standards.
“Truth is, those of us who were privileged to work with her were a little intimidated by her intensity, too. But we came to learn that Cathy was actually something of a softy, dedicated to her work, her children, her rescue dogs, to journalism, and to her community. She will be deeply missed.”
Cathy was awarded a Distinguished Service Award from the town of Wellesley in 2022 for her years of volunteering for the community. The award declaration read, “Not only was Cathy a presence in all of our homes on Thursdays with the arrival of the paper, but she also worked hard in volunteer work in town, helping us to enjoy what Wellesley has to offer. In addition to being part of activities at her daughters’ schools from Hunnewell through WMS and WHS, one of her major commitments was to the Celebrations/Wellesley Wonderful Weekend Committee, of which she was an active member for nearly 20 years.”
In awarding her the town’s Distinguished Service Award at the annual Veterans Parade in 2022, Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend Chair Roy Switzler said, “Wellesley is proud to salute its hometown writer, editor, WHS parent, and community volunteer for enriching the quality of life in this town we share.”
Upon hearing about her passing, Switzler marveled over her long-time dedication to the town. “She was one of the people who was instrumental in pulling together Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend year after year. Every committee she worked on in town was improved by her presence and hard work.”
Previously, Cathy earned a citation from U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy for her work as a Vermont newspaper editor, and received many New England Press awards during her tenure at the Townsman.
Perhaps more rewarding to Cathy was the influence she had on young reporters learning to become journalists.
“As a young reporter in my first—and ultimately only—job as a reporter, she was an indispensable resource,” said Jordan Mayblum, now a communications professional at a public school system.” She understood community news and the community she covered in equal depth, and had unmatched institutional knowledge which combined to make me a far better reporter and made our coverage of Wellesley as complete as it could be.”
Mayblum recalled being part of a team that covered deeply consequential news, including the sale of the North 40 and the defeated effort to overhaul the town’s system of government. “Through it all, Cathy’s wisdom and deeply held sense of the context within which the news of the week occurred was essential… She would often ask probing questions that forced me to dig deeper and, simply put, I could not have asked for a better editor to guide me through.”
Cathy leaves her daughters, Hyacinth Brauner, of Pawtucket, RI and Kathryne Brauner, of Worcester, MA, grandchildren Lukas, Mila and Jaxon. Also, her sister, Susan Brauner, of East Boston.
In lieu of flowers, please donate online to Stray Pets in Need of Wellesley, or send donations to: Stray Pets in Need, PO Box #812143, Wellesley, MA 02482-0014.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 22 at 2pm at the UU Wellesley Hills Church. All are welcome.
This obituary was written with information contributed by Beth Hinchcliffe, Wellesley resident and a former editor of The Wellesley Townsman, family members, and others who knew Cathy Brauner.
Cathy was a gem to the Wellesley community and to all who knew her! I started writing for the Townsman 28 years ago (around the time I first came to Wellesley) when Cathy was the editor. We developed a friendship and shared a love for the written word. We often talked politics and media coverage, rating our favorite reporters and sharing a laugh over others. Cathy wrote from the heart, honestly, and Wellesley is better for Cathy having covered our lives. My deepest condolences to her daughters, Hyacinth and Kathryne, her sister and her grandchildren.
She was a great lady who had the biggest heart for everyone in town. I remember going to the office and playing hide and seek with her after hours., knowingly she had to get the paper in. I am grateful the people who have met her. She will be cherished in the memories of her. I love you mom so much.
When my husband Dick Dillon, the former Veterans Service Officer, passed away in 2019, I asked Cathy if she would write his obituary. She and my husband worked together for many, many years. She was always so supportive of Veterans. She told me that after The Townsman was bought by Gatehouse Media, they didn’t have as many local obituaries. She said that she would try her best. She wrote a beautiful obituary that appeared on the front page. That is one of the many things I will always remember about Cathy. She was a loyal friend. She will be missed by all who knew her. My sincere condolences to her loved ones and everyone who’s lives she touched.
I first met Cathy Brauner when I was in the fifth grade at Hunnewell School. I have one fond memory of her when the two fifth grades girl scouts went Christmas singing at the Newton Wellsley Hospital. She had the sweetest voice for singing. She had such a beautiful peaceful expression on her face. She was clearly in her element. After we sang, we went to the Saint Moritz Restaurant for hot dogs and cocco. Cathy sat next me. We had a nice long chat about our enjoyment of being students at the Hunnewell School. She was laughing at my stories about my childhood.
The following year, Cathy and her family lived overseas. I did not see Cathy again until I entered Wellesley High School. She would tell funny jokes while we were waiting for the school bus.
Cathy will be deeply missed. I wish her two daughters well.
She was a wonderful person. She raised two beautiful, successful daughters and will be greatly missed!
I never met Cathy or even spoke to her, but we had an email relationship that lasted 10 years. I felt like I knew her. I first “met” her when I wrote articles for the Townsman about happenings at Hardy when my girls were there. Then I covered the middle school and high school events. She always gave me great placement. At first all my articles were unpaid, but one day she insisted on paying me a small stipend for my work because she said I deserved it. This meant so much to have her vote of confidence. And she gave me opportunities to cover important events like Madeline Albright’s presentation and Hilary Clinton’s commencement speech at Wellesley College. I even got a press pass! Cathy was a fabulous editor and a warm, witty soul who was straightforward and genuine. I was so sad when the Townsman folded and I was unable to say goodbye to her. Now, I am doubly sorry to hear about her passing. Cathy made Wellesley a better place in so many ways. My heartfelt condolences go out to her loved ones and to all who knew her.
Thank you for these kind words. This sounds exactly like my Aunt. – Julianna Dunn, Cathy’s niece.