Meriden - Katherine Roy Barakos, 52, of Meriden CT, and formerly of Hamden CT, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 4, 2009, at her residence, after a twenty-five-year long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. Kathy was born in Hartford, CT on March 18th, 1957. She was the daughter of the late A. Richard Roy and Elizabeth Blake Roy. Her sister, Cynthia Roy-Mercado and her spouse, Orlando Mercado, of Hamden, CT and her brother, David J. Roy and his spouse, Laura Roy, DVM, of Tolland, CT, survives her. She also leaves her beloved niece and nephews, Colleen Roy, Christopher Roy and Matthew Mercado. In addition, she leaves her former spouse, James Barakos, of Meriden, CT. Many aunts and uncles, cousins, dear friends, devoted caregivers as well as her constant companion, her dog, Grady, also survive her. Kathy was a registered nurse for the West Haven Veterans Memorial Hospital in West Haven at the beginning of her career and subsequently was employed as a Visiting Nurse for the Orange Visiting Nurse Association for a few years prior to the onset of her illness. She received dual Bachelor Degrees in Nursing and Psychology from the University of Bridgeport. After no longer practicing as a Visiting Nurse, she earned a Master's Degree in Nursing from the University of Connecticut in Storrs with the hope of becoming a mental health clinician. Despite her long struggle with this debilitating illness, she demonstrated enormous perseverance and strength. She was determined to carve out a fulfilling and enjoyable life. Always hopeful for a cure, she spent countless hours raising money for the MS Society. Kathy always loved the water and prior to her illness enjoyed water-skiing and swimming as well as snow skiing and sailing. She was able to continue sailing up until one year ago because of a special group called Sail CT Access that takes people with disabilities sailing. The funeral from BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden will leave on Wednesday, September 9th at 9:30 am. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church is at 10. Friends and family may call Tuesday, September 8th from 4 - 8 pm. Interment in Centerville Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the CT Chapter of the MS Society, 659 Tower Ave., Hartford, CT 06112-1269; Sail Connecticut Access Program, c/o Debbie Ballou, 1 Riverside Court, Guilford, CT 06437; or the Masonic Home Health and Hospice Program, 22 Masonic Ave., Wallingford, CT 06492. Special thanks to her caregivers, Laura Orama, Desiree Jimenez, Yamil Madra and Jessica Solis for their wonderful care. Her family will always cherish the support and kindness shown by her Hospice team.