Katherine DeMayo Rydelek, age 88, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2024, at her home in Trumbull.

Born on September 14, 1936, in Bridgeport, CT, she was the daughter of the late Rose and Clement DeMayo.  Katherine graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport. She attended the University of Connecticut. While at UConn, she loved being part of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She later transferred to the University of Bridgeport where she earned her bachelor's degree in education.  She went on to attend Fairfield University where she earned a master's degree in education.   Katherine's first teaching position was at Saugatuck school in Westport.  After raising her children, she went back to teaching and spent many years working for the Fairfield Public Schools at both Roger Sherman School and Holland Hill School.  Katherine always inspired her students to write creatively, and each year published a literary booklet of the students' best writings called "The Golden Lamp".  She also assisted in producing plays to help the students gain confidence in front of an audience while at the same time having fun.  As an educator, she enjoyed having a positive impact on the lives of her students.

Katherine loved music, especially opera and musical theater. She enjoyed going to the Metropolitan Opera House and Broadway, as well as attending shows and concerts in CT with her friends and family.  Katherine was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. Throughout the years, she enjoyed being on the stage.  While at UConn, she played leading roles in the "Taming of the Shrew" and "Happy Journey", and at UB, she played a leading role in the production of "Campus Thunder".  She also had the lead female role in the Polka Dot Playhouse's production of "Male Animal". Later, when she lived at Oronoque Village, she participated in many of their musicals.  Katherine really enjoyed being a soprano in the Mendelssohn Choir, a distinguished community choir.  She enjoyed traveling with them to various venues, performing with them at concerts, and the friendships she made.

Katherine enjoyed traveling with her husband Paul. They spent many winters in Punta Gorda and Sarasota, Florida. She especially enjoyed their trip across the US to California, and their trip to France, Italy, and England with the Mendelssohn Choir.

Most of all, Katherine was very devoted to her family. She was a wonderful daughter, a great mom, and a caring grandmother.  Katherine is survived by her daughter, Laura Rydelek Fitzgerald and her husband Lawrence of East Lyme, her daughter-in law, Kimberly Donahue Rydelek of Trumbull, her four cherished grandchildren: Alexander Gregory Rydelek, Kara Celia Rydelek, Tyler Lawrence Fitzgerald, and Evan Paul Fitzgerald, her sister, Linda Thomsen of Mt Laurel, NJ, and several nieces and nephews.   She is predeceased by her husband, Paul Rydelek, her son Gregory Paul Rydelek, and her brother Clement DeMayo.

Visitation will take place on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 12:00 pm -1:15 pm in the Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford.  Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Stratford.