Catherine V. Gadarowski

Catherine was born in Willimantic, CT, November 23, 1923, the daughter of the late Tadeuz and Marysia (Gunia) Gadarowski.

As a young child and through her teen years, Catherine worked in her father's bakery in Windham where her favorite job was frying doughnuts. At the recommendation of her parish priest, she applied for admission to the College of New Rochelle, from where she graduated, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics. For several years Catherine worked in the engineering department of United Aircraft/Chance Vought Division in Stratford, later transferring to Pratt and Whitney Aircraft when Chance Vought relocated to Tennessee.

During this time, Catherine received her teaching certification, and began her career teaching in both Willington and Windham, CT. In was in 1957 when she received her Master’s Degree in education from Boston College. She continued to teach and sharpen her skills at both Danbury High School and Glastonbury High School where she taught math and was also a guidance counselor. In 1960, she accepted a position as a math teacher at Joel Barlow High School in Redding. During her tenure at Joel Barlow, Catherine was awarded several federal grants to study advanced mathematics, taking graduate courses at Farleigh Dickinson, the University of Illinois, and Lehigh University. She would remain a member of the faculty at Joel Barlow until her retirement in 1984.

Catherine devoted her retirement years to doing things which she enjoyed most – sharing her joys and experiences with others. A devout woman, she had a strong desire to thank God for all that He had provided to her. She was active in the Literacy Volunteers of America, where she helped Cambodian students learn the English language, and help guide them through the complexities of the American way of living. As a longtime parishioner of Saint Mary Church in Bethel, Catherine was also a director of the Saint Mary clothing bank, supplying clothing and supplies to needy local families, and home missions in both the Southern and Western states, where nuns and priests work with little financial support. It was not uncommon to hear about Catherine packing her van full of clothing and supplies and driving to a mission in Mississippi or Alabama in her 80’s. For many years she volunteered with Meals on Wheels, delivering food to shut-ins. She enjoyed the treat of an occasional trip to Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center with a friend when time permitted to listen to a concert on a Sunday afternoon, and the many trips beginning in 1964 that she took to Poland to visit family and friends. Catherine was an avid letter writer, something she had done since her teenage years, corresponding with friends near and far in both English and Polish.

Catherine was predeceased by her eight brothers and sisters, and is survived by twelve nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Also surviving is her close friend of almost 60 years, Marie Miller, also of Bethel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM on Tuesday, February 13th at Saint Mary Church, Bethel. Interment at Saint Mary Cemetery, Bethel, will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at Saint Mary Church on Tuesday morning from 10:00AM until the time of the Mass.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers are requested to be made to a favorite charity of one’s choice.