Kathryn McLean

Kathy Ellen Mclean 1955-2025

Kathy McLean, 70, of West Haven, Connecticut, beloved lifetime partner of Gerry Card, passed away after a brief illness on November 9, 2025.

Kathy was the second of five children born to James O. and Thelma A. McLean. She was born on August 27, 1955 in North Carolina and moved with her family to Milford, Connecticut, shortly after her birth. She attended Mathewson Elementary School, Orange Avenue Elementary School and graduated from Milford High School. In her youth she was a Brownie and Girl Scout, marched in area parades with a youth fife & drum corps and spent many family vacations and holidays in Maine visiting grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

At various times she worked for Norden Systems, Pez, Dr. Timoner Chiropractic and was trained at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy.

In January 1990, Kathy met Gerry at an AA meeting. She showed up frequently at the poker games he held at his house after meetings. By August they were dating. They spent the next 35 years together. Gerry credits her with saving his life and will love her until his last breath.

Although she faced health challenges in her life, Kathy loved to laugh. She loved animals, especially her pet cat, Whitey, and dog, Oliver. She loved watching movies and funny videos, playing Mahjong, spending time on the computer and hitting the casino with Gerry. And if avocados, salmon and scallops were on the menu, she was happy.

She will be greatly missed by Gerry and all those who loved her.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, James and Thelma. She is survived by her brother Steven McLean and his wife, Laura, of Sacramento, California, sister Susan Mullins and her partner, David Houston, of Sacramento, California, brother Bruce McLean and his partner, Amanda Reiter, of Dallas, Texas, and brother Christopher McLean and his wife, Lisa, of Willington, Connecticut, as well as her nieces and nephews Koren, Travis, Maegan, Liam, Lucas and Elliot.

The McLean family wish to thank Gerry Card for his many years of love, care and devotion to Kathy, especially during her difficult final days.

Gerry's extended family also considered Kathy part of their family. They include his late parents Lorraine and Harold Card, and his brothers and sisters and their spouses Gail and the late Thom Sobalsky, Harold and Ellen Card, Patricia Card-Vasquez, Suzanne Healy, Tom and the late Carolyn Card, Ann Card and Heather Mckerman, Nancy and Mike McAllister, Ellen Card, Kate and Neil Belleville and Brian Card. In addition, all of Gerry's 16 nieces and nephews spent many Thanksgivings and Easters with Aunt Kathy and will also miss her.

In lieu of flowers you please make a memorial donation in Kathy's name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at https://www.nationalmssociety.org/donate.