Obituary of Catherine Connaughton

Catherine Connaughton

Brighton; Friday, May 1, 2026 at 93

Catherine Flannery Connaughton was born in Rochester, the youngest of five children, on January 10, 1933. She attended Nazareth Academy where she made life-long friends Connie Petix, Julie Clohessy Bauer and Mary Wurtz Rappenecker.

Cathy was married to her beloved husband, Patrick Connaughton, for 59 years. They raised their four children in Irondequoit where she was a dedicated member of the St. Cecilia/St. Kateri faith community. She cherished being a member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, the Ladies Guild and volunteered for many years at the parish school and office.

Cathy was an active, curious woman and a highly engaged mother who loved education and the wise use of resources. She was a member of the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting, and taught cursive writing to students at St. Cecilia school.

She worked for Rochester institutions such as Kodak, Rochester School for the Deaf and Bishop Kearney High School. She was a masterful caretaker of many friends and family members at their times of need. She lived her faith by helping and respecting others.

She is predeceased by her loving husband Patrick, her mother Winifred, father James, siblings Winifred, Theresa, John and George as well as her dear sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her devoted children, Jim (Kelly) Connaughton, Molly (Matt) Manzella, Kay (Marty) Hanna, Anna (Bill) Morrison and dearest grandchildren Tyler (Lily) Connaughton, Jack, Casey and Will Manzella, Cole (Mallory), Neil (Angelica) and Maggie Hanna, and Max Morrison as well as her faithful sister-in-law Rosemary Oesterly and many nieces, nephews and friends who actively stayed present in her life. She very much appreciated the love, phone calls and visits. She enjoyed the community of friends she made at Linden Knoll and the Hawthorne at St. John’s Meadows.

Donations can be made in her name to Misericordia or Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Catherine's family will receive friends at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2617 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610 on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM where a Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM.