Kathie Gesseck

Naugatuck, CT Kathie Lynn Gesseck, 64, wife of Stephen Gesseck, died unexpectedly on December 21, 2024 at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Kathie was born September 2, 1960 in Massena, NY a daughter of the late Trygve and Carole (Lenaghen) Skaar and spent most of her childhood in Plattsburgh, NY. Kathie graduated from Plattsburgh High School and received her Associates Degree in practical nursing from North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, NY. Kathie worked as Lead Clerical at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury for 42 years, retiring in 2022.

Kathie enjoyed attending the Naugatuck YMCA aqua motion and chit chat group and she was a cat lover, having taken care of numerous cats at any given time. She had a lifelong passion for restoring her 19th century home, spending countless hours in the restoration and renovation. Kathie loved to travel, especially to spend time with her children and grandchildren and also to spend time near the water.

In addition to Stephen, her husband of 44 years, Kathie is survived by her daughter, Melissa Herzbrun (Brian) of Dumont, NJ; her daughter, Jen Proper (Todd) of Erie, PA; her son, Kyle Gesseck (Tanya) of Naugatuck, CT; her daughter, Ashley Harris (Nick) of Midlothian, VA; her grandchildren, Macy Proper and Max Proper both of Erie, PA and Jamie Herzbrun and Hannah Herzbrun both of Dumont, NJ; her 5 step grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren; 4 nieces and nephews, especially Cindy Bowen her cat caretaker; her special friends, Shirley Gilligan of Myrtle Beach, SC and Alice Finnegan of Chandler, AZ. In addition to her parents, Kathie was predeceased by her sister, Karen Dukette.

Family and friends will gather for calling hours on Friday, December 27, 2024 from 9:00am to 11:00am, with a funeral service immediately following at 11:00am at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers and to honor Kathie’s memory, donations are requested to Whiskers Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 367, Southbury, CT 06488 or at www.whiskerspetrescue.org.