Catherine O'Hara

Catherine (Kay) O’Hara died peacefully at Southington Care Center after a long illness. She was the loving wife of James O’Hara.

Born to the late Tobias and Catherine (Rafter) Bannon, she was a life-long resident of Waterbury, CT until her recent illness. She attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and High School and went to work at Scovill Manufacturing Company where she met her husband, Jim. Once they started a family she became a full time homemaker until her children were in high school. Later she returned to work in the Cash Office at Two Guy’s Department Store. When the store closed, she went to work for the City of Waterbury in the Assessor’s Office until her retirement.

In her retirement, she enjoyed line dancing, bus trips and membership in various senior centers. Most of all, Kay loved spending time with her family. She was the life of the party at family gatherings. She always had a song to sing or a joke to tell. She was especially happy to take her children and grandchildren on a wonderful trip to Ireland in 1999.

The youngest of seven children, Kay was predeceased by her brothers, Tobias, James, John and Reverend Joseph Bannon along with her sisters, Mary Waters and Eileen Turek.
Left to carry on her memory and legacy are her children, Mary C. O’Hara of Waterbury and Dr. James M O’Hara and his wife, Catherine of Southington as well as her grandchildren Katelyn M. Schmitt and her husband Matthew of New Jersey, Kristen A. O’Hara of New York and James R. O’Hara and his wife Jennifer of Vernon. She also leaves two great granddaughters, Fiona and Maeve Schmitt, who were the apples of her eye and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Southington Care Center for their tender loving care, with a big thank to Ada who had a special connection with her.

Calling hours are Friday, May 20, from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the Bergin Funeral Home 290 East Main St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, May 21 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Leo Great Church (Mary, Mother of the Church Parish), 14 Bentwood Drive in Waterbury. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Office of Radio and Television of the Archdiocese of Hartford, 15 Peach Orchard Road, Prospect, CT 06712 or a charity of the donor’s choice.