Catherine E. Gempka
Catherine Elizabeth Gempka passed away unexpectedly at YNHH on December 9, 2019. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 1, 1946 to the late Daniel and Edna Johnson McNeill. Catherine worked for many years as a secretary in the nursing department of Quinnipiac University as well as for various commissions for the town of Hamden. Besides spending time with her daughter, traveling was a love of hers. Switzerland was visited more than once, but exploring Austria was her favorite. Catherine will be remembered by her loving daughter, Elizabeth (Richard Goodwin) Gempka of Cheshire, as well as many nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to visit with her family and celebrate Catherine's life on Friday, December 13th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden.
We meet and became friends for over 30 years we’ve been though good times and bad and she was always there for me and me for her. That I will miss as well as spending many years with my family on Christmas Eve, she was my family. She was a honest friend and that is a rare find and I will miss her dearly. Love you my friend!
I am extremely sad to have lost one of my closest and best friends of 31 years. Cathy was a giving loving person quick to share anything with you. For years she fed The Hamden police Dept. on Christmas Eve with a full cooked meal. Her heart was overflowing with kindness. We shared some very nice times together sharing our thoughts of how to solve the world problems along with our own! I am going to truly miss her so very much. May she rest in peace with the Angel’s watching over her always. Love you Cathy.
I met Cathy working with her in the School of Nursing at Quinnipiac University. We sat right next to each other for several years and became good friends who shared countless laughs. After she retired, we remained in touch through emails, greeting cards and dinners. I am deeply saddened at her loss and will always remember Cathy’s heart of gold.
I had the pleasure to work with Cathy for over 20 years at Quinnipiac University School of Nursing. Cathy was a hard working, very organized and efficient secretary who always was willing to help professors and our nursing students. She was a wonderful and kind person. For years, Cathy was so thoughtful to remember me on special occasions with a card or a call. I will truly miss my colleague and friend. With heartfelt sympathy, Janice Thompson Professor Emeritus of Nursing
We had only the shortest of time with Catherine but it was a time of great joy . Catherine was so generous and kind . She would never come over empty handed and often presented us with little gifts. She was a wonderful person and we have been honored to have met her and have her in our lives and as part of our family for even this short time. Her straight forwardness and cut to the chase attitude always made us smile. She is missed deeply and has left her mark on all of us. Rest In Peace Catherine and know you will never be forgotten. Love Doreen and Rich