Kathleen E. Dinneen-Torello

Kathleen Elizabeth Dinneen-Torello, age 78, of Hamden, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at her home on October 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, with her daughter by her side.
Born in New Haven to the late James and Marjorie Hayes Dinneen and raised in Fair Haven, Kathleen was the beloved wife of John C. Torello and the devoted mother of Kaitlin (C.J.) Brexel. She was also the cherished grandmother of Emma Brexel, Chase Brexel, Julia Torello, Joey Torello, Matthew Torello, and the late Michael Torello. Kathleen was the sister of the late Margaret (Fred) Tyrol and Gerald Dinneen and is survived by brothers James (Sandra) Dinneen and William Dinneen.
Throughout life, Kathleen charted her own course with grace and determination and held fast to her beliefs. She possessed a warm spirit, and true to her Irish heritage, a lively sense of humor.
A proud educator for over 30 years in the New Haven public school system, Kathleen dedicated her career to inspiring and nurturing generations of students. (A favorite sign in her kitchen read, "You can't scare me, I teach school.") She earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Sixth-Year Certificate from Southern Connecticut State University, where she was a proud member of Phi Delta Kappa, and held a Master of Arts degree from Fairfield University. Her lifelong passion for education and learning left a lasting mark on students and colleagues alike.
Kathleen found immeasurable joy in the love and laughter shared with her wonderful friends and treasured grandchildren, with whom her memory lives on.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Sisk Brothers Funeral Home in Hamden on Sunday, November 2, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Hamden on Monday, November 3, at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.