Catherine "Rena" Gilgosky

Catherine "Rena" (Paratto) Gilgosky, 93, who was born June 15, 1920, died on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, at Hospice of Middlesex Hospital with her family at her side.

She was born in Colver, Pa., resided in Bakerton, Pa., and then moved to New York City to live with her favorite aunt and uncle prior to moving to Manchester with her late husband, Peter, where they settled at Norman Street for 45 years. She then resided first with her son in East Haddam for a year and then was a resident of Chesterfield Health in Chester for the past two years, until the time of her death. Catherine joined the Manchester Senior Center where she had old friends and made new ones, taking small trips and the enjoyment that the center brought her was a highlight each week. She was a diehard New York Yankees fan and UConn girls basketball, she loved to do word find books hours on end and had the most enjoyment spending time with family and especially her three grandchildren. She liked to take walks daily with K.C., a yellow Lab who got lots of treats. Being a devote Catholic she was a longtime communicant of St. James Church in Manchester ever since she resided there. She worked at Marlow's on Main Street, Manchester in the 1960s and then worked at Marshall's until her retirement in the mid-1980s.

She was predeceased by her husband, Peter S. Gilgosky. Catherine is survived by her two sons, Rick "Gil" and wife, Mary, granddaughter, Nikki, of East Haddam, Peter and wife, Amanda, grandsons, Ian and Spencer of Bristol. She had 12 siblings and now is survived by her sister, Lillian Oloff of Willowich, Ohio; sister, Ruth G. Jones of Patton, Pa.; brother, Peter Paratto of Cleveland, Ohio; and brother, Robert Paratto and wife, Jan, of Wickliffee, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their special thanks and gratitude to the entire staff at Chesterfield Health, Dr. Jim Parker at Middlesex Hospital who was there every step of the way, and the hospice team at Middlesex for the comfort and loving support during her illness. Also, would like to thank Marcia for her devotion with daily calls to see how she was.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester.

Funeral services will be celebrated on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home followed by burial in St. James Cemetery, Manchester.

Memorial contributions may be made to Middlesex Hospital Hospice Unit, 7th floor, 28 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

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