Obituary of Catherine A O'Connell

Catherine (Kathleen) Keating O'Connell, age 80, wife of the late James Brendan "The Balbo" O'Connell, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Cambridge Nursing Home in Fairfield, CT.

Catherine was born in Bridgeport on December 13,1940 to the late Michael and Margaret Keating. Her father was from Fermoy, County Cork and her mother was from Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland. Catherine graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1954 and Bassick High School in 1958 before becoming a beautician.

She was one of the original Irish Step Dancers with the Mulkerin Emerald Dancers. Catherine met her husband at an Irish dance in Stamford in early 1960 and they were married on August 19th, 1961 at St. Augustine's Cathedral in Bridgeport.

Catherine worked at The Carolton Convalescent Home, then People's United Bank for 15 years in Bridgeport and then at Doctor Robert Russo's billing office in Shelton. Catherine was a resident of Fairfield for over 40 years and later in life she and her husband settled in Bridgeport.

Not only was she a loving mom, but also very much devoted to her family. Catherine enjoyed the great tradition of Irish dancing with her cousins Patty Kay Moran Lenihan, MaryEllen Cassidy Flannery and Kathleen Cassidy McCort. Catherine passed on a grand and very passionate tradition of Irish culture to her family and friends and was very proud of her Irish heritage.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, James; her younger brother, John Keating; her granddaughter, Sara Anne Foley; and her son-in-law, Timothy Patrick Foley. Catherine is survived by her son, Daniel O'Connell, and his wife, Rebecca; her daughters, Maura O'Connell, Christine McDade, and her husband, Gerald, and Siobhan Foley, and her husband, Russell Daniels. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Gearalt McDade, Aislinn McDade-Seferi, Aidan Foley, Ryan O'Connell, and Deaghlan McDade; a great granddaughter, Aubrey O'Connell and a great grandson, Jax Seferi.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 8th at 11:00 a.m. directly at Holy Family Church, 700 Old Stratfield Road, Fairfield with burial to follow at Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield. There will be no prior calling hours.

The O'Connell family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Cambridge Nursing Home, Constellation Hospice and especially Angela Tingle for the care and support given during her stay there.

Arrangements are in the care of Lesko & Polke Funeral Home.

To sign an online register, purchase flowers or to get travel directions, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com