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Colette Breault Obituary
A memorial service will be held at the Naugatuck Historical Society Museum, date to be announced.
Ms. Breault was born May 2, 1942 in Putnam Connecticut. After graduating high school at Putnam Catholic Academy, she joined the Roman Catholic religious order The Daughters of the Holy Spirit. Her undergraduate studies at Diocesan Sisters College and graduate studies at Virginia State University were in Biology which she taught for thirteen years. After leaving the religious order, her teaching years were followed by a career involving education positions at the Bridgeport Post newspaper, the Noah Webster House in West Hartford, A Child's World in Bridgeport, and the Woodbridge Town Library. During her retirement, she volunteered at the library and she was also very involved in the Naugatuck Historical Society, helping to plan events and working on the newsletter.
Colette's humor, optimism, and caring nature helped her forge many friendships spanning decades, some with former students and co-workers. She was very content just to walk in the woods, visit museums, or sew with friends, yet she and her husband also enjoyed learning about and visiting China, London, the Grenadines, Vancouver, and Copenhagen. They were ready to travel to Istanbul this year wheen her cancer again caused complications.
Survivors include her husband, Mark Cassidy; her sisters, Jacqueline Jacobson and Cecile Peterson; her brothers, John Breault, Richard Breault, and Emile Breault; many nieces, nephews, and very close friends.
The family wishes especially to thank the dedication and expertise of Dr. James Hoffman of New Britain and his staff. With their help, Colette was able to enjoy four and a half years of life beyond her initial cancer diagnosis. The family also wants to thank the hospice teams of the VNA and of St. Mary's for their caring support.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Greenpeace, PO Box 90136, Fredericksburg, VA 22404-9952; VNA Health Care/Hospice and Palliative Care, 103 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Colette Breault
Sponsored by Mark Cassidy.
Lisa J Landone
December 29, 2021
The students of Cathedral Girls Catholic High School will be forever Blessed by you. The Peace of Christ surrounds you eternally You made a difference Well done good and faithful servant GOD Bless you!
Mark Cassidy
December 22, 2021
Colette was emotionally connected, intellectually curious, and had the gifts of laughter and many friends and family. She went out of her way to care for others and lead a gentle life.
Colette at home
Mark Cassidy
December 11, 2015
September 28, 2009
"Sister" Colette was a remarkable woman who not only taught Biology but how to be a lady, with humour. My teen age years were not the best for me and I could always find "shelter" in her laboratory. Today, I hope she finds her "shelter" close to God. "Sister" Colette gave a lot of herself and now is the time for her to get back that love.
I wish her and her family much peace and may the good memories replace the void and sadness from her departure.
Bernadette Skubly Butts, Bridgeport, CT
September 23, 2009
I am so sorry to hear the sad news about 'Sister' Colette! She was my favorite teacher at Cathedral! I excelled in Biology because she had the knowledge to make each class not just a wonderful learning time, but also managed to make it fun and made each of us eager to learn more each time we met. She had such a warm, fun and caring personality, which made me look forward to each class daily! My thoughts and prayers go out to her husband and family. I just know that she is watching us from heaven, and is surrounded by the angels, as she was truly an angel in my life!
Dona Ostman Wassell, Cathedral Class of 1973, (Monroe, CT)
September 22, 2009
I had (Sister) Colette as both my homeroom and Biology teacher; she was an exceptional person.
My condolences to her family and all who knew her. May she Rest in Peace.
Nancy Tyszka Murphy
Cathedral, Class of 1975
Janice MacLellan
September 20, 2009
Colette was such a positive person; she will be sadly missed by all that knew her. To Mark, her siblings, family and friends, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Pat Murcko Garza
September 20, 2009
(Sister) Colette was such a wonderful and warm soul who I am honored to have had touch my life. It was in her biology class that I decided to pursue nursing and have now been a pediatric nurse for 31 years. I did not know where her life would take her, but it seems she took it all in and gave so much back. My prayers and thoughts go out to all of you and hope that your many memories and the knowledge you will one day meet again comforts you in your darkest times.
deborah madsen
September 20, 2009
Sister Collette was so very special to me. She was extremely meticulous and I am sure I was the cause of her early gray hair and leaving the Holy order. She would be very proud of the integrity instilled in me in my crazy High school years and what a good person I have become. I have many fond memories of her and I know she is now with God. May God bless her family and the many friends she had. With Love Deborah Maenza Cathedral class of 76'
Karen Zmachinski Gulli
September 20, 2009
(Sister) Colette was my biology teacher back in 1972-1975 at Cathedral High. She was a wonderful teacher and friend to all of us and I will never forget her. She's always had a positive, sincere and caring attitude to all her students and will surely be missed. May God bless you and keep you in his arms until we meet again.
September 20, 2009
I have many wonderful memories of Colette - she was one of the toughest teachers I ever had in high school or college, and thus, the person from whom I learned the most. She was unique in that she could run a "no nonsense" classroom while at the same time exhibiting her fabulous sense of humor and positive outlook on life. I'll never forget the winter Saturday she led members of our biology class on a jaunt to the University of Bridgeport, as members of the "Charles Darwin Fan Club" to gaze upon his name inscribed on the science building. Pure silliness. She had a great smile and an even greater heart. My condolences to Mark and the entire Breault family. Kathy Kleps Rule, Cathedral 1974
Judith Leckrone Lee
September 20, 2009
(Sister)Colette inspired me to want to major in biology in College (though I didn't because it required math and Sr. Lucille can tell you how bad I was at that!) I went on, however, to a long career in environmental protection and attribute those first stirrings of respect for all of creation to her encouragement and inspiration. I still have clear, sweet memories of her gentle, patient, generous and humorous teaching. My deep condolences to her family and friends. I can tell by the comments that she carried all those attributes with her throughout her life.
Linda D. Dreher
September 19, 2009
Words cannot tell how I feel about Colette. She touched my heart and soul at that special time in high school. Never was a teacher able to reach inside of me and pull out things I did not know I could do. To this day I still will tell people about the Big B and the Small b, for blue eyes or brown. I learn from Colette how it is ok to change our minds and try something new. To travel many paths in one life and get the most out of each.
She gave without limits and listen to us all. Colette was and will always be one of my favorite teacher, mentor, and friend.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand and take you home to be in his glory.
Peace, Linda Dreher CHS'73
Judy & Jan Sienkiewicz
September 19, 2009
My sister Jan (CHS '69) and I (CHS '73) both had Colette for Biology. She was a wonderful teacher and caring person. I'm sure she'll be missed by all who came to know her. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Debbie Guerro Galante
September 19, 2009
Sr. Colette was my high school Biology teacher and instilled a love of science within her students. I loved her classes and remember all the labs reports I handed in were illustrated and embellished with my drawings that I carefully designed. She always added such positive comments on my papers saying that she appreciated my visual interpretations of each assignment. This positive feedback made me work even harder. One memory I do have is that it was a split class and that we had 20 minutes of instruction then went to lunch and returned for another 20 minutes. I had never heard of this type of scheduling and to this day although I too, am in education, still have never seen this done. Well, it was a great way to break up a class; however, it never sat well with the students when we were dissecting animals. It was hard to cut a specimen open and then proceed to eat only to return to continue the process. Nonetheless, I have great memories of her kindness, patience, and love for her subject area. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Debbie Guerro Galante Cathedral High School 1968 - 1972
Lisa J Landone
September 18, 2009
My Dearest (Sister) Colette,
Every memory I have of you is beautiful, humorous, spiritual. Thank you for putting up with this "class clown" for allowing me to be myself, for not giving up on me, for letting me write funny songs about strange biological creatures and sing them in front of the class, for understanding my love of frogs, for not getting too mad when I figured out how to cheat on my final exam by tapping out a secred code and on and on. Most of all thank you for being such a beautiful soul, for inspiring me, for teaching me that God is Love. Thank you for being such a big part of the best days of my life. Thank you for making me proud to be what I will always be a good "Cathedral Girl". Kind and lovely soul may Our Lord surround you with joy beyond our imagination unitl we meet again. My love for always. Lisa Landone '76
Denise Drzal
September 18, 2009
Good-bye Sr. Collette. Thanks for being a part of the Cathedral Girls High School staff for all 4 years I was there and thanks for being the kind of teacher that a kid could be comfortable with. And Thank-you for being a power of example in loving God! You have a footprint on my heart of hearts and I will remember you with a genuine fondness.
To Sr. Colletes family and friends, May God bless you and grant you peace at this difficult time. The first thing I did when finding out this news was to pray for her and for you. Trust God and He will never fail you. May he grant you comfort,understanding,and a great joy when remembering her life with you.
Love,
Denise Class of 1976
Cathedral Girls High School
Raquel Figueroa-Heath
September 18, 2009
To {Sr.} Colette's Family,
I know she was a very awesome person, as my Biology teacher @ Cathedral Girls High School 1969-1972...always there to listen and talk with me and others...she knew what to say all the time..I will miss her very much not really a good writer better talker and she would agree...Now she will be the guardian angel looking over everyone ...Now she is with the "Main Man", start of a new life waiting for us.
With great sorrow,
Rocky 1972
PATRICIA FAYE
September 18, 2009
Ms PAT FROM CHILD'S WORLD DAYCARE. I FIRST MEET MS COLLETTE WHEN I CAME TO WORK THERE 14YEARS AGO. I REMEMBER HOW WARM AND UNDERSTANDING TO ALL THE STAFF AND CHILDREN, THANK YOU FOR HAVING A SHARE HER WONDERFUL IDEAS AND ART WITH EVERYONE THERE. SHE IS SADLEY MISSED BY ALL. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOUR FAMILY. LOVE ALWAYS, MS PAT
Pat Coffey
September 18, 2009
To Colette's Mark, her siblings and family:
When I think of Colette I see the smile; she was goodness personified; always positive, and forever putting others' wants and needs before her own. I was one of the many lucky people who were privileged to know her. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
September 18, 2009
My sister, Barbara Hey, and I have known Colette 40 years, since Cathedral Girls High School, and have been very close friends ever since. She was family to us and we loved her very much and are going to miss her greatly. We always had a girls day together a couple of times a year and we had such great fun and good times. She was the most caring, loving, gentle, kind, considerate person I have ever known. I know she is at peace now. Till we meet again Colette, love you
Beverly Granata
September 18, 2009
Janet & Sydney Evans and family. who considered her our family too. Thank you for sharing her with us.Big hugs
Precious moments.
September 18, 2009
Colette was much more than a sister; she was my friend in all ways. She loved life and shared her time with everyone. An amazing, courageous woman, with such fortitude and was an example to all of us. I will never forget you, my dear sister, Colette.
Jackie Jacobson
Colette and Richard on June 28,2009
Richard Breault
September 18, 2009
My sister Colette was such a wonderful person and an example to all of how people should treat others with kindness and respect. She loved her husband, her family and all of her dear friends. Life just won't be the same without her.
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