Cathy Hanson

Cathy Hanson, of Waterford, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 17, 2026. She was a woman of gentle grace, deep faith, and enduring devotion to her family.

Born September 25, 1948, she was the eldest of her siblings, Cathy grew up guided by a strong sense of family responsibility. After graduating high school, she pursued her passions at Stout University, earning a degree in Home Economics—a testament to her lifelong love of creating cross-stitch, quilts sewing, baking and cooking. Her journey eventually brought her back to Milwaukee, where she began her professional life.

Destiny intervened when she met Roger. Their connection was immediate and undeniable, leading to a joyful marriage just five months later that lasted 51 years. As a dedicated Submarine Service family, they relocated to Groton, Connecticut, where they raised their family and built a beautiful life together over the decades.

Cathy’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. As a devoted member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, she poured her heart into serving on the Altar Guild, arranging flowers, and quietly supporting the congregation wherever she was needed. Her hands were rarely still; she found great joy in the quiet beauty of her gardens, the immersive worlds of her books, and the simple pleasure of an afternoon at the movies. Above all, she loved her family and friends fiercely, and she was enveloped in that same love by everyone who knew her.

Cathy was reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Roger; her parents, Harvey and Florence Nienow; and her sister-in-law, Helen Harrington.

Her legacy of love lives on through her daughters, Brooke and Kendra; her son-in-law, Mark; and her cherished grandchildren, Kailey, B, Keagan, Paxton, and Addison. She also leaves behind her sisters, Debbie and Dawn; her brother, Keith, and his wife, Vivian; her sister-in-law, Mary Reyes; alongside an extended circle of dear family and lifelong friends. She will be profoundly missed, but her memory remains a warm comfort to all who loved her. A celebration of life will be held in September, her favorite time of the year.