Catherine (Shaver) Leone

Catherine Shaver Leone, 92, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023. She was born on September 26, 1930, the daughter of the late George and Madeline Shaver, in Norwich, Connecticut. Her husband, Donald Leone Senior, predeceased her.

Catherine, Kitty to her friends, attended school in Norwich, graduating from Norwich Free Academy in 1948. She worked in the Allis House office at the Norwich Free Academy for over 25 years retiring in 1992 as the Administrative Assistant to the Head of School. As all her children attended and graduated from NFA, none ever got into trouble or participated in Senior Cut Day.

Catherine was devoted to her family and friends. Along with her husband Don, she volunteered for many years as a class representative for the NFA Alumni, helping locate, communicate, and organize class reunions. Catherine also volunteered as a 4-H leader, teaching cooking, sewing, and other crafts. Catherine spent many summers camping with her family. She made cooking, cleaning, organizing, and monitoring 5 children while living in a tent for two weeks look easy. Catherine loved to knit. Many family members and friends have sweaters, hats, mittens, and Christmas stockings and still use them today. She also loved to quilt. Catherine was a member of a local quilt guild, made a quilt for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and donated quilts to cancer patients. Catherine loved teapots. She had an extensive collection and would use a different one each time she hosted a tea party with family and friends. While Catherine wasn’t a sports fan, she attended numerous soccer, football, basketball, wrestling, and baseball games to support her children and grandchildren. Her greatest joy and the legacy she leaves is the love of her family.

Besides her parents and husband, Catherine was predeceased by two siblings (George Jr., and Lois) and her grandson Joshua Sawyer. She is survived by her sisters Madeline MarcAurele and Doris Remondi, her children Diane, Gail Sawyer (James), Donald (Jean), Jill Cota (Charles), Lynn Nelson (Carl), her 10 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of life at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 16 at Labenski Funeral Home in Norwich. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paiva House in care of The Caring Community of Connecticut, Inc., 84 Waterhole Road, Colchester, CT 06415.