Date de Décès: 2005-11-13
Date de Parution: 2005-11-15
Source: The Republican, Springfield, MA, US
SPRINGFIELD - Katherine (Toole) Contant, 88, of Springfield, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, November 13, 2005. Born in Palmer, the daughter of John E. and Mary (Kennedy) Toole, she resided in Springfield for the past 79 years. She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 41 years, Robert J. Contant of Springfield who passed January 20, 1990, and her sister, Julia K. Walker of New Jersey. She is survived by her five children, Hon. Philip A. Contant of Springfield and his wife Elizabeth, Kathleen M. Murphy of Woodstock, VT and her husband David, Charles J. Contant of Springfield and his wife June, Martha E. Cahillane of Springfield and Elaine L. Contant of Lincoln, MA, and eleven grandchildren, Katie Plante and her husband T.J., Sarah Contant, John Contant, Robert V. Contant, Colleen Murphy, Michael Murphy, Sean Contant, Amy Contant, Kristen Cahillane, Michelle Cahillane and William Cahillane. She leaves her sister, Mary T. Hoyt of Naples, FL. She attended Springfield Public Schools, graduated from Cathedral High School, 1934 and Our Lady of the Elms, 1938. A professional woman, she taught in the Springfield Public Schools from October 1971 to June 1983, including White Street and Kensington Avenue Schools, and taught U.S. Citizenship Classes to newly arrived immigrants, a job she particularly enjoyed; during World War II, she worked at the former Moore Drop Forging Company. She was a longtime communicant of Holy Name Church in Springfield. She will be most remembered for her gracious and selfless demeanor, her endless love, dedication and support of her family; her wit, wisdom and knowledge of current affairs. Memories of Katherine will be treasured forever. Family and friends will meet for a Liturgy of Christian Burial on Thursday November 17th at 10 a.m. in Holy Name Church in Springfield followed by burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday November 16th from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in the Hafey Springfield Chapels, 494 Belmont Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Lung Association of Western Massachusetts, 393 Maple Street Springfield, MA 01105, or to Springfield Library Foundation Inc., Robert J. and Katherine M. Contant Library Fund, 36 Court Street Springfield, MA 01103. www.hafeyfunerals.com. Published in The Republican on 11/15/2005.