Catherine L Vakiener

Catherine L. Vakiener died peacefully at home at the age of 92, on June 19, 2017. Catherine “Cay” was born on March 15, 1925, the daughter of Margaret O’Mahony Lynch and Dennis Lynch in County Cork, Ireland. After losing both of her parents by the age of 5, Catherine moved to the United States to be raised by her paternal aunt in Glens Falls, New York. Catherine and her two sisters returned to Ireland every summer with their aunt and she kept a lifelong connection with her large extended family there.

Catherine graduated from the College of Saint Rose and completed graduate studies at Fordham University in Chemistry. When Catherine turned 21 she was eligible to become a United States citizen. Her aunt had not adopted Catherine and her sisters so that they could keep their family name. As a result, Catherine waited until she was 21 and then became a United States citizen. During graduate school, Catherine met her future husband, Arthur. After graduation, she worked as a chemist at General Electric until she married Arthur on September 20, 1952.

Initially Catherine and Arthur lived in the Bronx and then moved their family to the suburbs of New York, settling in Mohegan Lake. Once their youngest child was in elementary school, Catherine went back to school to get her master’s degree in education at Western Connecticut State University. After earning her degree, she taught at George Washington Elementary School in Mohegan Lake for 21 years. In 1983, Catherine was recognized by her school district as the Teacher of the Year, a well deserved award for a much loved and respected teacher. Catherine continued to substitute teach for several years after retiring. She also devoted time to volunteer work at hospitals, her church, her local library and the American Association of University Women. Once Catherine and Arthur retired, they moved to Keene, New Hampshire to have proximity to both of their children’s families and enjoyed many happy years in their new community. Seven years ago, Catherine and Arthur relocated to a senior living community in Framingham, Massachusetts. Catherine made many dear friends in her new setting and spent time enjoying her many interests.

Catherine will be remembered most for her sweet disposition, and her kindness and compassion for others. She was interested in everyone she met. Catherine was the center of her family and very involved in her children and grandchildren’s lives. She had strong faith and was an extremely generous person who was known for helping others. Catherine enjoyed swimming and was an avid reader, enjoying her book club and keeping up on current events.

She is survived by her son Dr. Arthur R. Vakiener III and his wife Diane of Niskayuna, New York; daughter Margaret V. Shelley and her husband Frank of Sudbury; seven grandchildren, Jennifer K. Vakiener and her husband Alex Riccobono of Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York, Kelly Vakiener of Medford, NJ, Michele Vakiener of Brooklyn, New York, Tracy Mokszycki and her husband Rob of Tinley Park, IL, Mary Kate and Matthew Shelley of Sudbury, MA, Ryan Shelley of Washington DC; and five great grandchildren, Leo and Cole Riccobono, Ben Keith and Makenzie and Savannah Mokszycki. She also leaves several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Arthur R. Vakiener Jr., her son Dennis and an infant daughter, Catherine.

Visitation hours are from 4-8 pm on Friday, June 23, 2017 at the Duckett Funeral Home of J. S. Waterman. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.