1950 – 2012
Danielson – Kathleen Bonesio-Bessette, 61, of Plainview Drive, died Sunday, May 27, 2012 in Day Kimball Hospital. She was the loving wife of Adrien Doug Bessette. Born in November of 1950 in Avon, CT, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Rita (McManus) Bonesio. The family moved to Hartford, CT in 1953. Kathleen attended South Catholic High School in Hartford and went on to graduate from Central Connecticut State University with a teaching degree in English and History. She began her career as the branch manager for the Society for Savings Constitution Plaza in Hartford. She left banking to pursue something she loved which was teaching children. She worked with pre-schoolers in St. Joseph School in North Grosvenordale and kindergarten in St. Mary School in Putnam. She later became a Student Counsel Advisor for both Eastern Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut at Storrs.
In addition to her husband, Kathleen is survived by her son Matthew Frederick and his wife Meghan; her sister Lynn Bonesio-Peterson and her husband John; her brothers Robert Bonesio and his wife Deborah, and Richard Bonesio; several nephews; and several cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Kathleen’s family at 9:00 am Wednesday, June 6, 2012 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am in St. James Church, 12 Franklin St., Danielson, CT. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeast Connecticut, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
David & Roseanna Lamontagne
Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of your family. Remember to cherish all the happy memories and good times you had. They will help you through this difficult time. Know she is in Heaven with the Angels.
Love
The Lamontagne family
Dave, Roseanna, David Jr, Zachary & Luke
Linda Ferrell
My heart is broken to hear of Kathleen’s passing. She was a true friend to all and an excellent colleague in the Psychology Dept. at UConn. Kathleen’s passion to advise any student who came to her was so evident and the department was very lucky to have her on board. May you rest in peace dear Kathleen. My heartfelt sympathies to Doug, Matthew, Meghan and her family. She is already missed.
Fondly,
Linda Ferrell
Felicia Pratto
To Kathleen’s family:
I am so very sorry for your loss. Kathleen was full of life, love, compassion, humor, so I know you must feel her presence and absence keenly. I will pray for all of you in this difficult time. I know that she will ever be in your hearts and thoughts, as you always were in hers.
Our department here at UConn will certainly miss her lovely temperament, concern for all, and skills at helping us all through life. We appreciate your sharing her with us. She is a treasure.
Jim Magnuson
To Kathleen’s family —
I am so sad to learn this news. Kathleen was a constant source of cheer, goodwill, and enthusiasm to all of her colleagues in the psychology department — as well as an incredibly competent and skilled administrator who kept the department running. I will truly miss her, and my thoughts are with you.
Sincerely,
Jim Magnuson
Peg Pittman
Some of my fondest memories of St. Mary’s involve Kathy and her laugh. She was a wonderful person! God Bless you and be your strength – Matt, Megan and Doug.
Paula Grange
It is with great sadness that I am writing this. Kathleen is by far the nicest person I ever met. She had so much enthusiam and compassion for everything she did. She was kind and friendly to all and never had a harsh word to say about anyone.
She spoke with pride of her family and shared many fond memories of times spent in the Vermont farmhouse. I will remember her for many year to come and I know she will be missed by all who knew her. My sincere sympathies go out to her family.
David Miller
I could not have asked for a better colleague and cherished friend than Kathleen. She devoted herself tirelessly to advising 600 freshmen and sophomore Psychology majors, serving as a contact for incoming transfer students, and countless other tasks. Amid all of this enormous dedication, she remained cheerful and a truly trusted colleague. She is sorely missed.
On a more personal note, Kathleen was among the most caring and compassionate people I have ever known. She leaves a void that will not be possible to fill on so many levels. I extend my deep condolences to her family and friends.
Lois Coleman
I was so saddened to learn of Kathleen’s passing. She was such a sweet, caring, and compassionate woman. She will be deeply missed, and her memory is a blessing to us.
Wishing you peace and comfort.
Sincerely,
Lois A. Coleman
Donna Jones
Words do not seem adequate during this time of great sorrow.
Kathleen was my colleague; my friend, and my heart is so
heavy to know that I will not see her again. My deepest sympathy
goes to her family, especially Doug, Matt and Meghan. Kathleen
spoke of you often with such love and caring and her eyes would
light up during those conversatons. I feel very fortunate to have
known Kathleen; a truly beautiful person and loyal friend.
Mary Crawford
To Kathleen’s family —
Kathleen’s gentle presence in the UConn Psychology Department was a blessing I enjoyed daily. I’ll remember her smile, her friendly and warm greetings, and the way she always cared about whatever problem or difficulty anyone brought to her. She cared, and she solved problems, making the path to learning easier for students and helping faculty accomplish their goals.
Kathleen was taken from her friends and family far too soon. We cannot understand why, but I hope that you can take comfort in knowing that Kathleen’s goodness and gentle spirit will live on in all our hearts.
Steve Arnold
To Kathleen’s Family: My deepest and sincerest sorrow is today, June 1, at Conception Abbey, MO, where I just read this notice of Kathleen’s passing. We were spiritual mates, of a kind, at the Psychology Dept., and it was hard to retire and leave her there, but she was really in charge of her student advising, and will be greatly missed.
She has been in my prayers, and now her soul will be in God’s hands. I can’t express how sorry I am for her family at this time.
Br. Stephen Francis
Etan Markus
I was deeply saddened to hear of Kathleen’s illness and passing.
The rapidity at which this happened is sobering and makes it even more tragic.
She truly cared about the students, and I enjoyed seeing how much pleasure and satisfaction she derived out of guiding them through the university’s red tape.
Kathleen was like a bright light, her cheery disposition and warmth were infectious and I will sorely miss our chats together.
She is in my thoughts
Etan
John Salamone
It was with great shock and sadness that I received this news. I will always remember Kathleen- the many pleasant conversations, the ease and poise with which she performed her duties, her dedication to the department as a whole, and to each individual student who passed through our walls. I want to share my deepest sympathy with her family, and also to say “THANKS” to Kathleen for all she did for me, and for our students.
Marianne Barton
To Kathleen’s family;
Like so many others, I am so sorry to learn of Kathleen’s passing. She truly cared for the students she worked with and loved the work she chose. I will miss her tireless good humor, her genuine compassion, her ready smile and her simple kindness. I hope you know how much we valued her and what an important difference she made in our lives and the lives of the students. You are all in my thoughts.
Donna DiMastrantonio
I am so deeply sadden, about the loss of a wonderful caring person…
I will miss all the talks and laughs we shared..
Please rest in peace my friend
Marcia Orcutt
My heart goes out to Kathleen’s family. May you find comfort in your faith and each other. She touched so many lives with her gentle spirit.