Catherine Oloff

Catherine Mary Falman Oloff, 90, daughter of the late Joseph Falman and Anna Treur of Norwich and wife of the late Richard H. Oloff died peacefully at Sharon Health Care in Sharon, Ct on Sunday, October 13, 2019.

Catherine was a lifelong resident of Norwich. She was born March 16, 1929 and always said spring was her favorite time of year. Catherine was a great student and was very proud that she returned to school to obtain her high school diploma as an adult after leaving Norwich Free Academy at the age of 16 to start work in a factory. Catherine said she cried the day she left school but felt hard work taught her how to take care of herself at a very young age. She attended Mohegan Community College and was on the Honor Roll. She was always very good in math and had perfect penmanship. She was a thrifty shopper.

She was a proud homemaker and loved gardening, canning, sewing all her clothes and cooking everything from scratch. Most of all, having family visit, especially for all the holidays. She always made the best desserts and casseroles and shared all her recipes especially her Danish pastry, plum dumplings, Stollen, Suzy Q cake, chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies (that her nephews Matt and Danny Aubin would hide on Christmas Eve to save for later) and her famous potato salad that none could ever replicate, though tried. She always had a secret ingredient. Catherine always kept an immaculate house and had a separate day of the week dedicated solely to cleaning, laundry and ironing and always stayed on her schedule. She loved changing her curtains that she made for every new season. She lived the most and was most proud of being a mother, wife and grandmother. Catherine was very happy being a homemaker which gave her more time for her husband Richie and children to always be there when she was needed.

In later life- she cared for her husband Richie with advanced Alzheimer’s at their home that they shared together for over 49 yrs. Catherine was awarded an outstanding caregiver award by the Alzheimer’s Association. She was active in their support groups helping others care for their loved ones. She was active in the Rose City Senior Center, AARP, Mohegan chapter 1004, and was a long time active member of the RSVP knitting and crochet group where she made hundreds of lap robes, slippers and hats for the Veteran’s hospitals. She was awarded by Post 594 and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign War for her commitment to the Veteran and Hospital Programs for making exceptional handmade items that were admired and treasured by the recipients.

She married Richard H. Oloff who predeceased her in 2003 on October 23, 1954 at St Peter and Paul’s church in Norwich, Ct. They made a home and family together in Norwich and she is survived by her daughter Nancy Oloff Gandolfo and her husband Tom of Lakeville, Ct, son Rich and wife Jan of Stafford Springs, Ct, granddaughters Marsha Cirrito who was very devoted to her during her last year and her husband Mike and granddaughter Kendra Martelle, great grandchildren Taylor, Caitlin, Xavier and great great grandson Tyler all from Norwich along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In her last year, she received outstanding care at Sharon Healthcare in an award winning Alzheimer’s unit. She was affectionately called Granma by the attentive and loving staff and the family will be forever grateful to them and the affections of Luigi, the resident cat. In lieu of flowers, family would like donations made in her memory to The CT Chapter Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489. Catherine was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Church in Norwichtown, Ct. Family and friend may visit Labenski Funeral Home Friday, November 1st from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Home Service at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Christian Burial at St Joseph Cemetery. Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence for the Oloff family.