Catherine R. Butt, fondly referred to as Kitty, passed away at home with her husband by her side on September 4, 2018. She lived in Bridgeport for 67 years but has resided in Westbrook for the last three years. She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Kenneth Butt, her son Robert Betts and wife Maryann Betts, granddaughter Stacy Betts, daughter Carol ODell, and brother Patsy Rupe.
Catherine was born on August 7, 1919 in Reggio de Calabria, Italy. Her mother Frances Rupe traveled from Italy with her oldest son and Catherine who was 11 months old, to meet her husband Joseph Rupe who had traveled on ahead to find employment. They resided in Brooklyn, NY and Pennsylvania where Catherine grew up. The family expanded to include a dear sister and seven industrious brothers. She moved to Bridgeport in 1931 and went to work for Frisbee Pie Company where she met Kenneth.
Catherine co-led the local girl scout troop, enjoyed bowling with the Thomas Hooker Bowling League, participated in school events, and worked for years in a bakery where she became known to local children as the ‘bakery lady’. She volunteered for 23 years at the Salvation Army Senior Nutrition feeding elders, some younger than herself. When she wasn’t running an errand of mercy she was cooking soup or delicious Italian food so she could feed her next guest. She was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife and mother who taught her children the tools of the trade to survive in life, and by example, to practice compassion for others.
A mass will be held for Catherine at St. Charles Church in Bridgeport on Friday, September 8 at 10:00 am. She loved her church and volunteered many years carrying the gifts and making collections during mass. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, in Catherine’s name, or to the Homecare Hospice Unit at, Attn: Office of Development, Middlesex Hospital, 28 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457. Please note “Homecare Hospice IMO Catherine Butt in memo section.
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