Katherine Roy Barakos
Meriden - Katherine Roy Barakos, 52, of Meriden CT, and formerly of Hamden CT, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 4, 2009, at her residence, after a twenty-five-year long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. Kathy was born in Hartford, CT on March 18th, 1957. She was the daughter of the late A. Richard Roy and Elizabeth Blake Roy. Her sister, Cynthia Roy-Mercado and her spouse, Orlando Mercado, of Hamden, CT and her brother, David J. Roy and his spouse, Laura Roy, DVM, of Tolland, CT, survives her. She also leaves her beloved niece and nephews, Colleen Roy, Christopher Roy and Matthew Mercado. In addition, she leaves her former spouse, James Barakos, of Meriden, CT. Many aunts and uncles, cousins, dear friends, devoted caregivers as well as her constant companion, her dog, Grady, also survive her. Kathy was a registered nurse for the West Haven Veterans Memorial Hospital in West Haven at the beginning of her career and subsequently was employed as a Visiting Nurse for the Orange Visiting Nurse Association for a few years prior to the onset of her illness. She received dual Bachelor Degrees in Nursing and Psychology from the University of Bridgeport. After no longer practicing as a Visiting Nurse, she earned a Master's Degree in Nursing from the University of Connecticut in Storrs with the hope of becoming a mental health clinician. Despite her long struggle with this debilitating illness, she demonstrated enormous perseverance and strength. She was determined to carve out a fulfilling and enjoyable life. Always hopeful for a cure, she spent countless hours raising money for the MS Society. Kathy always loved the water and prior to her illness enjoyed water-skiing and swimming as well as snow skiing and sailing. She was able to continue sailing up until one year ago because of a special group called Sail CT Access that takes people with disabilities sailing. The funeral from BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden will leave on Wednesday, September 9th at 9:30 am. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church is at 10. Friends and family may call Tuesday, September 8th from 4 - 8 pm. Interment in Centerville Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the CT Chapter of the MS Society, 659 Tower Ave., Hartford, CT 06112-1269; Sail Connecticut Access Program, c/o Debbie Ballou, 1 Riverside Court, Guilford, CT 06437; or the Masonic Home Health and Hospice Program, 22 Masonic Ave., Wallingford, CT 06492. Special thanks to her caregivers, Laura Orama, Desiree Jimenez, Yamil Madra and Jessica Solis for their wonderful care. Her family will always cherish the support and kindness shown by her Hospice team.
Kathy is in a pain free place now. The only thing is she will really miss Grady very much and he her. I will miss her. Suffering for her is now over and for the family to have to watch her go through it all too. David, I know each time you came to the house you made Kathy smile. You were a true brother to her. Thank you for caring for your sisterand stopping by with Colleen after dance.Grady enjoyed the walks, playing catch with her when she came to see Kathy with you. I thought to myself what a mellow fellow you were. That was my first impression of you. Cindy for the countless hours of phone work you took on for Kathy’s care and whatever needed to be done over the phone. You were on it day in & out and gave up looking for a job to help out, thank you.
David,Cindy and families I am sadend to hear of Kathys passing I cared for your sister in the evenings at her house.She was a pleasure to work with we shared alot and laughed alot!She was so happy when David came with her Christmas tree!The dinners she hosted with all of you were so special to her we would get out all of her fancy tableware and set it perfectly.She will be missed by many. Sincerly Kathleen Smillie
I never had the pleasure of personally meeting this courageous lady, only know of her through phone conversations with Jim in response to his ad in the St. Stanislaus Church bulletin looking for caretakers for Kathy. I especially admire Kathy’s selfless devotion to fund raising in hopes of finding a cure for MS, as I continue to do the same for my rare neuromuscular disorder, Primary Lateral Sclerosis. I speak to many professional and community groups, including newspaper, TV and radio interviews–to increase awareness of PLS and I established the ‘first in the world’ PLS support group in 2001. Like Kathy, I am also a health care professional–a Registered Dietitian, whose career was cut short by the onset of a disabling disease. By coincidence, I also lived on the east side of Meriden until I was married and moved to Newington. My family agonizes over my many years of restrictions, pain and suffering so I know that Kathy’s has done so, too. Please accept my sincere sympathy as you grieve the loss of Kathy in earthly existence but be comforted by the assurance of her eternal happiness with God where one day we will all be reunited. In her memory, I am making a donation to the MS Society of CT. With fond regards, Dolores Carron
Kathy was a very special person, always giving and working to improve life for others. To her family, we are very sorry for your loss and our sympathy goes out to you. We will miss Kathy, her smile and passion for life and advancing a cure for MS. Thank you for all of your support of the National MS Society. We hope that peace is with you and Kathy forever. Susan Raimondo and the staff of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter.
My most sincere condolences go out to David and Cindy for the loss of their sister, Kathy. My most vivid memories of Kathy are from joint family vacations at Lake Winnisquam in Laconia, New Hampshire in the early 70’s and, the beach parties I attended when I was living and, going to school in the Manchester/East Hartford area. I will always remember, and share, my thoughts about that smile, that unmistakeable laugh, and that .live life to the fullest. attitude. I’ll miss her but, it was a real pleasure to know her.
We’ll miss her and her infectious smile. Will always remember the family times in New Hampshire.
Dear Cindy, David & family; i am so sorry to hear of Kathy! when i think of my cousin, i see her up on waterskiis behind uncle dick’s boat-and i remember memories at Lake winnesquam with all the Roy cousins. May you find comfort in the many memories you had together. Sorry i cannot be there today-God Bless all our love, Kara & Michael
I was saddened to hear of Kathy’s passing. She was such a strong person and she fought so hard and so long for the things that were important to her: her home and her independence. I was very happy that she was able to die at home. She was very lucky to have such devoted family and friends. Gerard Adelman