Katherine E. O’Donnell, 29, of Seymour formerly of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at Yale-New Haven Hospital with her family by her side. Katie was born in New Haven on September 25, 1985; beloved daughter of Jack and Elizabeth Flegert O’Donnell. She was a Licensed Practical Nurse at Family Care Visiting Nurses and Homecare; was an avid New York Yankee and Giants fan. Katie was a loving sister to Lauren and James O’Donnell, who always looked up to her. She leaves behind her best friend and loving companion Jorge DeSousa. She leaves behind her godmother Debby (Paul) Balisciano, godfather Robert (Linda) O’Donnell, and her Uncle Billy and Aunt Lulu. She leaves treasured memories to cousins Emily, Brian, and Jillian. She is predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Arthur and Carmel Flegert; paternal grandparents, William and Anne O’Donnell. Katie was loved by both patients and co-workers, and was very proud of her profession. She had an outgoing, vibrant, infectious personality and touched the lives of so many. She was passionate about animals and was devoted to her dogs Sadie, Remi, and Gunner.
Family and friends are invited to go directly to St. Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Avenue, Hamden on Tuesday morning at 10:00 to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal services immediately following in All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Monday from 4 to 8 pm at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bully Breed Rescue Inc., PO Box 953, New Canaan, Ct. 06840
My deepest sympathy to you,Liz and your whole family. The girls and I at Hair Dimensions will miss very much, a beautiful person inside and out. Truly taken to early, but will be watching over allof you, may God be with you.
So sorry for your loss and we pray for you and your family.
my deepest sympathy to Family and friend. can not put in words how sad I am. She touch my life in her special loving way….
Liz and Jackie, my family and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our deepest prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. May you find peace in her peace. Terri Canzanella, Doreen and family
My heart goes out to you. Words can't express the thoughts and memories of the times we spent together.
Dear Jack, Elizabeth, Lauren and Jimmy….Katie is my only godchild….i will never have another. This is a very sad time for you, but i know all of you have great memories of Katie. All the beautiful comments, stories, pictures etc…..keep them close to your heart. We will always be here for you.
Baby Kat you are loved immeasurably and you will be missed infinitely.
This is very difficult and emotional to write about such a wonderful loving spirit. Katie was like a little sister to me and my wife. There were so many times I would see her out of the blue, I remember taking my kids to sleeping giant and there she was with her dogs, it meant so much to sit and talk with her for a few hours. It's things like that I will miss of her. We love you Katie girl and this will be very hard to endure. Thank you for being a friend and such a great person always.
My deepest sympothy to your family during this time. I still can't believe this is real. I'm sorry I won't be able to make your service.as I live in South Africa but please know my thoughts an prayers with be With everyone that day. You may be gone but will never be forgotten. Rest In Paradise my dear friend.
Heaven gained a special angel on Wednesday. We are so saddened to lose such a wonderful, caring and selfless person. The overwhelming care, support and concern you gave to our family after Luke's passing will never be forgotten. You truly were 1 in a million and you will forever be in our hearts.
Words cannot express the sadness we feel. We have lots of wonderful memories of you Katie and we will cherish them everyday. You left a big hole in all our hearts. Love you always.
I love you Katie darlin.
My sincerest condolences to the family. Katie was definitely a bright light in this world.
I'm at a loss for words which, as Katie would know, is very rare (she would probably give me a hard time about it). She was the first, and best, friend I made when I moved to Connecticut in 2009 and for the first few years I was here we spent a ton of time hanging out and touring the local dog parks. We could of course say that the dogs (Sadie, Nadia, Raja, Rusty, Powder and Oscar) brought us together as friends (with a few other very special people- Peter, Jay, Andrea), which is partially true, but we stayed close because we shared a similar outlook on life- always taking time to enjoy the little things. Katie was so loving and caring, especially to her friends, family and every dog she ever met. The week before her surgery we were supposed to have lunch to catch up (as it had been a while), but the Tuesday the week before she was feeling too sick to get together. We texted over this past weekend about the good old days and agreed to meet up the week after her surgery…I still can't believe that opportunity is now gone.
While it's comforting to know that the days before her surgery we both said how much we missed the good times we used to have and were trying to catch up, it's heartbreaking to realize that I missed out on seeing her smile and giving her one last hug. Katie was so strong and supportive when my husky Raja passed in 2012, I couldn't have made it through it without her. She was so kind to let Sadie come and stay with Nadia so that Nadia wouldn't be alone. I know that was hard for Katie but she saw that it was the best thing for Sadie, too, and selflessly handed her off. That was Katie in a nutshell, always looking out for those she loved. For me, Katie's memory will live on in Sadie and Nadia, and every good memory and funny photo I have of her and the huskies, as well as in the messages and photos her family and friends are sharing online and in person.
My sincere condolences to the entire family, especially her loving parents and siblings, and to Jorge who I only met a few times but Katie seemed incredibly happy and in love with. My thoughts are with you all and I hope that we can all spend more time focusing on the beautiful life that Katie was, and had, as we mourn the loss of someone special we love.
-Mike, Sadie and Nadia
My heartfelt sympathies to the O'Donnell and DeSousa families on this devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am so sorry for your loss. She was and is an amazing person, always a smile on her face. She will be missed. RIP Katie ❤️❤️❤️
Katie, your AAA family old and constant, will miss your beautiful personality and a wonderful smile. You will be missed.
Heartfelt condolences to Katie's wonderful family – Liz and Jack, Lauren, Jimmy and Jorge, to her friends and co-workers, and to all the patients who will dearly miss her care and compassion. Through her soaring spirit and the love of her parents, Katie brought joy to the lives of many.
We met at the dog park andwe instantly became friends. You are a beautiful soul and there is a whole that you left in your place. Heaven has a new angel.
my condolences to the family, From a friend of Jorge D. In the soccer community.
So sorry for your loss she's in my prayers.
A special niece, a loving daughter to Jack and Liz, a special sister and friend to Lauren and Jim. We will miss you dearly sweet angel. Always in pray and memories. Love eternally, your uncle and aunt.
Dear Jack & Family,
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your beautiful daughter; no words can express how very sorry I am for you and your family. I will continue to pray for your peace and comfort during this most difficult time.
Sincerely,
Michele Tondalo
My prayers go out to the family and Katie so sorry for your loss
Our condolences to Katie's family & friends during this tough time.
Becky & Nick Lavin
Liz and family
You are truly in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
Lauren, my heart goes out to you and your family during this time of loss. My heart is aching for you. Though I didn't know your sister, I imagine you had a personality similar to yours. Your VA family is here for you when you need us. You and your family are forever in our prayers!
Elizabeth, Jackie, Lauren, & Jiimmy,
Our hearts go out to you and your whole family. Words cannot express the sadness and heartache we feel for you. May God be with at this most sad time.
I send my sincere condolences to the Odonnell Family,
Although nothing can replace Katie, her charm or how her charasmatic personality has impacted your life, please know that our thoughts and prayers will continuously remain with you all. We will pray for your strength and courage during this difficult milestone.
Jack, Liz, Lauren and Jim,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Please know you can call on us if needed. Your friends, Rich and Maureen
Katie was a co-worker a few years back and she was always friendly and such a great person. My hearts are filled with sorrow for the family she leaves behind.
As I read thru all of the loving and kind words that everyone has left for my cousin, if not by blood then by spirit of our youth and childhood spent together, it is the first time that I can possibly conceive this is real. For no one says these things that I now sit and lament over unless they must, as it is painful to write them, requiring that we contemplate the truth , and it is so terribly hard to believe. Through the simple act of offering sympathy, her sad passing has been brought from the fog of a bad dream into the realm of reality. I'm not sure how her death better serves the greater divine plan that we all have to believe is in place in order to maintain a shred of mental sanity and faith in moments like this; in truth, I'm not sure that it does. The more I think about it, in fact, I'm sure that God quietly stole her back for Himself, having felt that He'd shared her light with the world long enough, taking her back to restore her to her rightful place in His ranks of angels. Anyone that knew Katie is well apprized of the fact that she was, and still is one. Who says that selfishness is not divine? To rob us of her smile, to deny us the pleasure that her presence brought into the lives of all who knew her, and that those who did not truly know her still couldn't help but resonate with, cannot be seen as anything else. God is a thief; He stole my cousin. And no matter how many souls He grants passage into this world after her, He will never manage to replace her. But I'm sure that's just why He took her back in the first place. So I resolve as I write this not to cry at the grief of her loss, but instead to let my heart smile through these tears with the sheer joy that I had the privilege of knowing her, and the blessing of her love in my life. Her light is endless to us
Sorry for your loss
My deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers go out to the entire family. Katie was such a great freind to my brother Luke and she had such a huge impact on Lukes life me and my family will always remember the bond they shared. Now they are in Heaven together watching over our families. We love you Katie you will be missed but never forgotten.
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Deepest sympathy to your family.
You were a friend brought to us through Krista, no we didn't hang out often but you held a special spot to us. Such heart ache thinking your gone, even more heart ache thinking of how your family and loved ones are hurting. Sending prayers and strength to them now. Rest in peace Katie, you will be missed
-the Robinsons
We are so very sorry for your loss. Many prayers and thoughts are being sent to your entire family's way . may she rest in piece .
Lilly and i are so glad we met you. You touched us forever in the two visits we had. I will not let Lilly forget or not know who you where. Your with us forever!
Dear Bob & Linda…..We are sorry to hear of your loss, of your special niece and God child. God Bless you both always…Connie & Joe
Beth and Jack so sorry for the loss of your beautiful, loving daughter. It's never right for a child to pass before their parents. There really are no words that can help at this sorrowful time just know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Love, Lynn
Jack and Liz, words can not express how sad we are to learn of the passing of your beautiful Katie..We will keep her and your family in our thoughts and prayers..God Bless you both..
Beth and family
my heart goes out you you all its never easy saying goodbye to someone you love but remember all the wonderful memories you made together. It really makes you want to spend as much time as possible with family. Hugs
Liz,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this tragic loss. Beautiful memory boards of a beautiful woman!
I am very sorry for your loss. Although I did not know your loved one personally, I hope knowing that they are in our loving heavenly Father's memory will bring your family comfort during this difficult time. Very soon now we can look forward to God's promise at a Revelation 21:4: "… Death will be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain be anymore, the former thing have passed away."