Susan Kay, Weymouth's first female mayor, has died at age 74

WEYMOUTH — Susan Kay, Weymouth's second mayor and the first woman to hold that office, has died. She was 74 years old.

Kay, born Susan Sullivan, grew up in South Boston and moved to Weymouth with her husband, Frank, in the 1970s. Frank Kay died in 2009.

Kay was elected a councilor-at-large in November 1999 under a new charter that replaced the selectmen with a mayoral government in January 2000. She was previously on the board of selectmen, a member of personnel board, a member of the appropriations committee and a town meeting member.

She became Weymouth’s second mayor in 2008. Her second term ended in January 2016 following her unsuccessful reelection bid against then State Sen. Robert Hedlund in November of 2015.

Kay was named an unsung heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women in 2017.

Kay was passionate about soccer and began her involvement in Weymouth Youth Soccer in the early 1980s. She soon joined the newly formed board of directors and served for more than 20 years, including as president. She coached many teams over the years and helped lay the foundation for Weymouth Youth Soccer’s lasting success.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Susan Kay, Weymouth's first female mayor, has died at age 74