Catherine Eileen (Kelley) St. Laurent 1927-2017

Catherine Eileen (Kelley) St. Laurent passed away peacefully surrounded by her family early Saturday morning in Middletown, RI on June 17, 2017.

Catherine (Kitty) was born on July 26, 1927 in Willimantic, CT. Her father William Kelley was a plumber and her mother Lucy McGrath raised seven sons and three daughters as first generation Americans whose parents emigrated from Southern Ireland.

Some of Catherines fondest memories were when friends and family gathered on the porch after Sunday services. After she graduated from high school, she worked in local textile mills despite her desire to become a nurse. In 1947, she met her husband Aimee (Joseph) St. Laurent on a blind date. They moved to West Hartford, CT where she spent the next sixty-five years. She loved to dance, go to the beach and camp with her family. Catherine worked at Pratt and Whitney 2 nd and 3 rd shifts for 35 years where she met many life long friends. When she retired she worked many years as a hall monitor at Wethersfield High School and is remembered fondly by students and staff. Catherine loved to travel, play bingo, search for good finds at yard sales, and spend time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed working with young people because their energy made her feel young. Kitty was resilient and kind. The last five years, she lived with her daughter on Lake Alexander in Dayville, CT and often visited Middletown, RI.

Catherine leaves behind her daughters Kathy Apanovitch of Middletown, RI, Phyllis Mullen and her husband Kevin Mullen of Dayville, CT. She was predeceased, by her husband Aimee (Joe) and her son Gerry. She will be greatly missed by her four grandchildren Carrie Apanovitch Grado, Erik Hughes, Leigh K. Apanovitch, and Nerissa Hughes. Catherine is also survived by four great grandchildren-Aaron Fanning, Cayshia Morrison, Gia Apanovitch, and Ian Grado. She leaves many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial well be held at 10am at the Church of St. Brigid, 1088 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110 on Friday June 30, 2017. A celebration of life gathering for family and friends will be held in August at Lake Alexander.

In lieu of flowers, if desired donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude, www.stjude.org.