Catherine Marie O'Connor, age 84, of Hamden, CT passed away peacefully at Whitney Center in Hamden on December 15, 2018. Catherine was born in New Haven on December 3, 1934, a daughter of the late Adolph & Elizabeth (Wrynn) Colombell. Catherine was predeceased by her loving husband Ralph and her daughter in-law Alicia O'Connor. She is survived by her four children, Brian O'Connor & his wife Theresa of Hamden, Mary Powers & her husband Bill of Prospect, Michael O' Connor of North Haven and Ann O'Connor of Cheshire; her grandchildren, John, Patrick, Joseph, Eamon, Colin, Brock and Eliza O'Connor as well as Ryan & Owen Powers and Adam, James and Jake Ali; her sister Ann Colombell; her brothers William & Tom Colombell and more than 35 nieces and nephews. Catherine was a graduate of St. Mary's High School and a graduate of St. Raphael's Nursing School's first graduating class. She was a registered nurse, employed at St. Raphael's Hospital, Gaylord Hospital and retired as Director of Resident Services from the Whitney Center in Hamden. One of Catherine's greatest enjoyments was spending time with all of her grandchildren. She especially loved her vacations in Maine and OBX North Carolina with her family. She was an active member of St. Rita's parish in Hamden. The O'Connor family would like to thank the staff at Whitney Center for the wonderful care they provided in her final days. Friends may visit with her family on Friday, December 21st from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden and may also attend her Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. by going directly to St. Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven. In lieu of flowers, donations in Catherine's memory may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or the Smilow Cancer Center.