Catherine S. "Kay" Kuhn

Groton - Catherine S. "Kay" Kuhn, of Raleigh Court, Groton, formerly of Hooksett, N.H., beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother went to her eternal rest on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010. Shewas at home surrounded by her loving family. "Kay" was predeceased by her husband, Retired Command Master Chief, Raymond R. "Pappy" Kuhn.

She was born on Sept. 4, 1917, in Manchester, N.H., the daughter of William and Pearl Senechek. She attended a one room schoolhouse in Hooksett, and graduated from Central High School.

Kay married the love of her life, Ray, on April 15, 1939, at Sts. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church in Manchester.

Kay is survived by her son, Raymond Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Spokane, Wash.; four daughters, Elaine Tolsma and her husband, James, of Hasting, Mich., Michele Way and her husband, William, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Bonnie Farris and her husband, Robert, of Groton with whom she made her home, and Donna Ingram and her husband, Dale, of Mystic; two sisters, Olga Downing and Elizabeth Sue Horne of New Hampshire; a brother, Robert Senechek of Florida; 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Eva, Mary, and Helen; brothers, John, Mike, and Leon.

She enjoyed every aspect of homemaking, especially sewing where she excelled in formal attire, wedding and prom gowns. As a devoted military wife and compassionate mother, she passed along her legacy of love and caring for others to her children. To her friends, Kay was known as "the queen of common sense" because of her simple, to-the-point and no-nonsense profound wisdom. Kay traveled extensively with her husband of 65 years and they particularly enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren all over the United States, with Alaska as a highlight.

Catherine's love of God began in the Russian Orthodox Church, took root at a Billy Graham Crusade, and wound through many Navy chapels and churches of various denominations. She spent many years serving Groton Bible Chapel, Camp Berea, and the Awana programs. Her retirement years brought her full circle to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

We will miss Mommy Kuhn, her love of garden tomatoes, a good pair of shoes, and her singing of, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" at the kitchen sink.

We love you mom and will never forget you!

The family wishes to acknowledge Hospice Southeastern Connecticut and Kay's special angels, Jessica, Stephanie, Debbie, and Becky.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Sacred Heart Church, Sacred Heart Dr., Groton. Interment will be on Monday in New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery. Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m Friday at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St.

Donations in her memory may be directed to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, 225 Dunham St., Norwich CT 06360.