Kathleen Pritchett

[ironputts]

December 13, 2021

Kathleen Pritchett
Connecticut Wing

Kathleen "Kathy" Pritchett (Gallup), 78, of Groton, passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at Groton Regency after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She is predeceased by her dear husband Paul; her sister Marilyn White; and half-sister Brenda Hull. Kathy was born May 4, 1943, in Norwich, to the late Ellen Elizabeth (Combies) and James Clayton Gallup.

Kathy grew up in Norwich, and graduated from NFA High School in 1961. Kathy was also in the Civil Air Patrol, where she met her first husband, Arthur Adams. Kathy and Art were married in 1964, and had two children, Shawn and Chrissy. Kathy and Art later divorced.

Kathy was a nursing assistant at Windham Hospital and the former Camelot Nursing Home. She also worked at the former IHOP in Groton. Kathy was a longtime member of the Norwich Grange where she made many lifelong friends. In 1981, Kathy married the love of her life, Paul. Kathy and Paul shared over 30 loving and inseparable years together. They shared a love of country music, coffee, reading, square dancing, and tractor pulls. They also participated in many Grange plays.

Kathy had a talent for crocheting and sewing. She could make anything, from doll clothes to wedding dresses, and won many blue ribbons at different fairs and craft shows. In 1991, Kathy and Paul moved to Wyoming, to enjoy a much simpler life. They spent many happy years there before moving to Missouri, and spent their final years together before Paul's passing in 2012, from cancer. Kathy, and her cat Freckles, then moved back to Connecticut, to be with family who were happy to have her close again.

Kathy persevered through many back surgeries, MS, and even recovered from a stroke in 2015, only to have to battle Alzheimer's. In the final years of her life, Kathy lived at Groton Regency, where she made many friends. Kathy could always make you smile with her special greeting of "Howdy, howdy!" While at Groton Regency, Kathy enjoyed visits with her children, coloring, arts and crafts, coffee hour and conversation. She was also a champion at chair kickball. Kathy always had a love of music, but as she put it "couldn't carry a tune in a bucket." So instead of singing, Kathy liked to hum along. And sometimes, even after the music ended, Kathy continued to hum. Somehow, she always ended her tune with the "Hokey Pokey."

Kathy is survived by her son Shawn Adams; daughter Christianna Niedojadlo and her husband Robert, their son Nicholas; her stepdaughter Maria Temple and her six children and 14 grandchildren; her "adopted" daughter Donna, and her sons Michael and Justin; her sister Joan Nyveldt; and nieces and nephews.

Kathy was very much loved by her family and friends and will be dearly missed. Her family would like to thank all the people who cared for her during her Alzheimer's battle. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is at peace and can finally say, "Howdy, howdy!" once again to her beloved husband Paul.