Catherine R Hamel

Catherine (DiDonato) Hamel, 98, of Hartford passed away peacefully on April 10, 2017 with her family by her side. Born in Hartford, CT on December 20, 1918, she was the daughter of Michael and Christina (Gallinoto) DiDonato. In 1957 she moved to Norwalk, CA with her husband and children for 58 years until moving back to Hartford to be close to her daughter. She was a homemaker until her 2 children were graduating high school. She then worked at AMOCO Chemicals until her retirement. Realizing she wanted to be around people, she then worked part-time for several years at Tuesday Morning Merchandising. Refusing to stop and loving being around people, at age 80, she worked part-time at Hallmark Greeting Cards. She loved spending as much time as possible with 2 of her grandchildren Ashley and Roger who also live in CA. Some of her favorite things to do were taking trips to Las Vegas with her Senior Citizen Club, going shopping, sewing and cooking. No one had a bigger or kinder heart than Kay and she will be missed and loved forever. She is survived by her daughter Debbie Bushnell & her husband Paul of Coventry and Roger Hamel, Jr. & his wife Angela of Huntington Beach, CA; Kay also leaves behind 4 grandchildren Ashley & Roger, Hamel III of Huntington Beach, CA; Justin & Amanda Bushnell of Franklin, TN; Amy & Joe Smith of Murfreesboro, TN; 6 great-grandchildren, Blaine & Mimi Bushnell of Franklin, TN; Austin, Alyssa, Ellie & Paul Smith of Murfreesboro, TN., 1 sister Lucy Dolgoruck of Hartford; 2 brothers Joseph "Yogi" DiDonato of Hartford and Johnny & his wife Pat DiDonato of Manchester; 1 brother-in-law Art Hamel of Windsor; 1 sister-in-law Helena Hamel of Meriden. She also leaves several nieces & nephews. Besides her parents, Katie was predeceased by a son Alexander (Sandy) Siek; 4 sisters Stella, Minnie, Millie & Connie; 4 brothers Thomas, Anthony, Rocco & Daniel. Debbie & Roger would like to thank Ellis Manor for the care that was given to their mother the last 2 years. And also thank Masonicare Hospice. Relatives & friends are welcome to join the family on Monday, April 17, 2017, from 5pm to 8pm at Watkins Funeral Home, 142 East Center St, Manchester. A Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at St. James Church, 896 Main St, Manchester. Please meet at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111. To leave a message of condolence for her family please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com

Visitation DetailsMonday, April 17th, 2017 5:00pm - 8:00pm, Watkins Funeral Home
Service DetailsTuesday, April 18th, 2017 11:00am, St. James Church