Kathleen A. Ouillette

Kathleen “Kay” Ouillette, of Griswold, passed peacefully into the awaiting arms of her beloved Henry on June 4, 2023. Born to William and Jane Young on July 21, 1932 in St. Bruno Canada, Kathleen spent her early years in Quebec as a beautiful schoolgirl.

While on a double date in Cape Cod in 1953, she met Henry “Bud” Ouillette, who quickly became the “big time love of her life”. After a whirlwind courtship, they married on October 24, 1953, enjoying life together for 58 years, until his passing on May 21, 2011.

Kay’s love for children led her to a career with children – first as a paraprofessional at Sayles School in Baltic, CT for many years, and then as a Library Aide at The Slater Library in Jewett City. Reading was a great passion and passing that love of reading on to others gave her great joy.

Other than her family, Kathleen’s great love was standing faithfully aside her beloved Bud as they served in the Knights of Columbus, especially as Ambassadors for numerous Special Olympics events. They traveled throughout the United States, making lifelong friends along the way.

Kathleen loved music and watching college sports, especially UConn basketball. She and Bud would watch and attend faithfully, proclaiming with a smile, “he likes the girls and I like the boys”.

Kay loved family outings, whether it was holiday gatherings, picnics, or school recitals. She would often venture out to ball games, concerts, and shows, and loved hosting holiday parties. She was a great cook and baker, well known for her delicious shortbread cookies.

For the past 2 years, Kathleen resided at Colonial Health and Rehabilitation in Plainfield, enjoying all the activities they offered. She joined the Bell Choir, practicing regularly and performing in concerts; she attended musical performances, bingo, and visiting with new friends. She loved her Cedar Wing girlfriends, and referred to the staff as “Angels”, always grateful for their kindness and assistance.

Kathleen’s family was her greatest joy. She is survived by two sons – Donald and his wife Gerrie, and Dwayne and his wife Nancy. She was predeceased by her son, Glen, in 1985. She leaves six grandchildren – Derek Ouillette (wife Amanda); Carrie-Anne Ouillette; Kathleen Anderson (“Katie”, husband Rob); Ryan Ouillette (wife Cindy); Erin (husband Eric) Palonen; Amy Rosario. She leaves 9 great-grandchildren – Tyler and Jameson Ouillette; Greyson and Melodie Anderson; Lily and Andrew Ouillette; Josephine Palonen; and Jillian and Julian Rosario. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Laurie Sorder and her husband Raymond, and three special girls – Megan and Cailin Sorder, and Kirsten Drobiak.

Kathleen also leaves her sister Dorothy Thompson and brother James Young, sister-in-law Irene Ouillette, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her son, Glen, Kathleen was predeceased by her parents and brother Jack, and in-laws Donald, Carol, and Richard Ouillette.

A Mass of Christian Burial will honor Kathleen’s life on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 11AM at St. Mary Church in Jewett City. Interment will follow at Pachaug Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.

Kathleen’s love for children guides us to request memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, directed to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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