CATHERINE THERESA BENEDICT

1936 - 2025

BENEDICT, Catherine Theresa Age 88, of Mystic, CT, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, after a long battle with cardiomyopathy, presumably related to chemotherapy administered, many years earlier. She was born in Boston to Daniel and Mary (Toland) Houton. Catherine attended local schools in MA at the St. William's School in Dorchester and later went on to graduate from Boston College School of Nursing, after which she worked at Boston City Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. Following her years at the hospital, she went on to do Public Health nursing in New York City. About that time her brother, Daniel introduced her to one of his Naval Academy classmates, who was immediately smitten, leading to a loving marriage of 60 years. While a Navy wife in Groton, she pursued ecological interests, including the Thames River Watershed Association. She was also deeply interested in politics and manifested concerns regarding spread of nuclear weapons. The word "peace" is inscribed on her tombstone in St Patrick Cemetery located in Mystic. Her nursing activity continued as she worked at Roper Hospital in Charleston, SC, when overhaul of a nuclear submarine took her and her husband to that area. Upon returning to Groton after her husband's retirement from the Navy, she worked at Norwich State Hospital, allowing her to participate in a field of medicine she particularly enjoyed. Catherine and Joseph travelled extensively, visiting all but one of the earth's continents. Many of the trips were garden-related with the American Horticultural Society, and there were several opera trips predominantly to Europe. The country visited most was Italy, where they always made sure to stop at the Abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno, where Joseph's sister, Mother Miriam O.S.B., was the Lady Abbess for over three decades. She was a devoted mother to her sons, Mark and Matthew and never stopped worrying about their welfare. In addition to her husband, Joseph and two sons, she is survived by a brother, John Houton of Quincy, MA; and sister, Roseleen Pyne of Milford, MA; grandchildren, Mark, Isabella, Katie and Lauren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Joseph, Jr. who died in infancy; as well as brothers, Thomas, Daniel and Charles; and sisters, Anna and Patricia. Her family would like to thank Avalon Health Center and Masonicare Hospice for the care and comfort given to Catherine during her recent illness. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick Church, 32 East Main St., in Mystic, on Thursday, August 14, at 10:00 am. Following her Mass, she will be buried at St. Patrick Cemetery, River Rd., Mystic. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. (www.stjude.org) The Mystic Funeral Home is handling Catherine's arrangements.

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