Catherine "Cate" Saxton

Catherine (Cate) Saxton, 63, of West Haven, passed away on February 11, 2025. Born in Hartford, CT. Cate was predeceased by her parents, Pat and Mary Futtner.
She is survived by her beloved partner of 27 years, Carol Mezzanotte. She also leaves behind Carol's children, Stacey (Dan) O'Connor and their children, Taylor and Mia; Frank (Katie) Shannon and their children, Noah and Carmen; and J (Illeana) Shannon and their son, Oakland. She also leaves behind her cherished rescue dog, Ollie, who was her faithful companion.
Cate is also survived by her loving siblings: Michael (Cheryl) Futtner of East Hartford,CT Mark Futtner of Fort Lauderdale, FL Joseph Futtner (Heidi Hart) and his children Patrick and Nora Futtner of Pasadena CA, and Thomas (Lillian) Futtner of Alexandria, VA, as well as her sisters Maureen Futtner and wife (Kate White) of San Francisco, CA and Lisa Futtner (Jere Wrightman) of Chatham, NY. Cate is also survived by nieces and nephews who adored her and will always cherish the love and wisdom she shared.
For 15 years, Cate dedicated her career to helping others as a drug and alcohol counselor in her private practice. More recently, she continued her work in the community as both a bereavement counselor in West Haven and a solar representative.
She was incredibly passionate about her work as a bereavement counselor, dedicating her life to helping others navigate their grief with compassion and understanding.
A devoted New York Yankees fan, Cate found joy in watching her favorite team play. Beyond baseball, Cate found joy in simple pleasures, walking on the beach, spending time with friends and family, and embracing life's special moments. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. One of the highlights of her life was her recent trip to Italy with Carol, Joe, and Bruce, a journey she often described as the trip of a lifetime.
A celebration of Cate's life will be held on Saturday morning, February 22, 2025 at the Porto Funeral Home, 830 Jones Hill Rd., West Haven from 9:00-11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Catherine, please visit our Tree Store.