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04/11/2024 12:23 PMCatherine Ann “Cathy” DeFrancesco, 75, of Northford, passed away suddenly on March 27, 2024. She was born in New Haven on Dec. 1, 1948, the daughter of the late Timothy Joseph Looney and Catherine Farrington Looney.
Catherine graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven. She attended Southern Connecticut State University and graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in early childhood education. She taught in Madison, took a few years off after having children, and continued her teaching career in East Haven, where she taught until her retirement in 2008. She married her husband John DeFrancesco (retired New Haven fire department) of 53 years on Aug. 22, 1970.
She was happiest when cooking for her family and friends and hosted all holiday celebrations. She especially looked forward to her Sunday dinners with her family. After retirement, she and John moved to Jupiter, Florida. Many of her friends visited and loved Jupiter so much that they, too, eventually moved down. She was an avid card and Mahjong player, and she did not like to lose.
Catherine was active in the Catholic Charity League and organized donation of food to the Ronald McDonald House. She loved Christmas time, when she was known for making dozens of cookies and shopping all year for presents for others. If she wasn’t home, you could probably find her at TJ Maxx or Home Goods. She cherished her relationship with her only granddaughter Laina and spent time with her whenever she could.
Besides her husband John, she is survived by her children, Erica DeFrancesco (Gregg Debowsky) of Cheshire and Jay DeFrancesco (Kristin) of North Haven; grandchild Laina Debowsky; her loving sibling Timothy J. Looney of Stuart, Florida; and her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Patricia Pulsifer, and her brothers-in-law, Frank Pulsifer and Richard DeFrancesco.
Catherine’s family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Gettinger and Dr. Knowlton and all the wonderful caregivers at the Smilow Cancer Center.
The visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Family and friends are invited to meet directly in St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Barnabas Church, 44 Washington Avenue, North Haven, at 10 a.m. Friday, April 12, to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven (860 Howard Avenue, New Haven, 06519). www.northhavenfuneral.com