Sakae “Sadie” Allen-Cahill

SAKAE “SADIE” ALLEN-CAHILL – Monday, June 20th. Beloved wife of the late Francis W. Cahill. Loving mother of Francis W. Cahill, Jr. and his companion Maureen Bresnahan of NH, Patricia A. Lister and her husband Keith of Wakefield, Eileen T. Bowman and her husband Larry of NH, and Robert J. Cahill and his wife “Peg” of Reading. Cherished grandmother of 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Funeral from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Friday, June 24th at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn at 10. Calling hours on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment is private. Donations may be made in Sadie’s memory to the MSPCA – Angell, 350 S. Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

OBITUARY:

Sakae “Sadie” Allen-Cahill passed away peacefully Monday night, June 20th, surrounded by her loving and dedicated children. The beloved wife of the late Francis W. Cahill, who passed away in 1978, she was 89 years old. Born in Osaka, Japan, Sakae was the only daughter to Eizo and Fudeko Aso.

Sakae, or “Sadie” as she was affectionately known, grew up in Japan. Post-World War II, during her commute to work, she traveled with the man that eventuallY became the love of her life, Francis W. Cahill. The two fell in love and were married in 1949 in a traditional Japanese service and then by the American Consulate. After their marriage, the couple moved back to the United States. First moving to Billerica, then in 1956 decided to make their home in Woburn. Sadie and Francis brought four wonderful children into the world, whom they adored and cherished. Sadie was very proud of each of them and enjoyed teaching them about both their Irish and Japanese heritage. Every other year she would take her family back to Japan, where she immersed them in the culture, spending a month in Osaka and Tokyo with all her family there. Often times they would take day trips to Salem Willow’s, where they would enjoy each others company, on the swings, in the water and savour all the delicous foods for their picinic. The entire family has truely enjoyed being in each others company througout the years.

Sadie had a contagious spirit. She was full of life and embraced everyone she met with love and compassion. She was a determined woman who never gave up. If it appeared there was a dead end ahead, Sadie was sure to find an alternative way or route to accomplish what it was that she set out to do. Resiliency, optimism and determination were always a part of her karma. There was never anything in her life that she felt was unattainable. Most would think that a move from Japan, only speaking very little English, to the United States would be intimidating…Not for Sadie! She adapted very well and because she was so very social, vivacious and curious, she settled in beautifully.

In later years, Sadie loved volunteering at the local Senior Centers, in Woburn, Burlington and sometimes Winchester. She was an active participant in a variety of activities such as yoga, square dancing, and walking the Burlington Mall early in the morning, six or seven days a week for over seventeen years. Her energetic soul would enjoy babysitting not only for her grandchildren but for different families with children after school, which she did well into her late seventies. Throughout the years she volunteered to be a “companion” to many patients at Francis Street Nursing Home, where she would read to them, have conversations or just hold their hands for a while.

Over the last several weeks, Sadie has been in the loving comfort of her daughters home, where her children have gathered. Together they celebrated Sadie’s life with her, inviting friends and family in to share the same love and laughter with Sadie, that she had so joyously shared with them throughout her life time. Her legacy of laughter, love, peace and tranquility has been embedded in the hearts of all who had the distinct pleasure of sharing their lives with Sakae “Sadie” Cahill.

In addition to her parents, Sadie was predeceased by her husband, Francis W. Cahill.

She is lovingly survived her children, Francis W. Cahill, Jr. and his companion Maureen Bresnahan of NH, Patricia A. Lister and her husband Keith of Wakefield, Eileen T. Bowman and her husband Larry of NH, and Robert J. Cahill and his wife “Peg” of Reading, her grandchildren, James, Christin, Matthew, Kevin, Hannah and Brian Cahill,Tara and Evan Bowmen and her great-grandchildren, Brianna, Beckett, Jackson, Loghan, Sophia, Joseph, and Isabelle, and her dear pet cat “Angel.”

Relatives and friends are invited to the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Friday, June 24th at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn at 10. Calling hours on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment is private. Donations may be made in Sadie’s memory to the MSPCA – Angell, 350 S. Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.