Obituary: Pauline Kalita, 93, of Prospect

Obituary courtesy of Hickcox Funeral Home

PAULINE'S OBITUARY
“Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and the family angel”

PROSPECT- Pauline Kalita, 93, of Prospect, CT, formerly of Litchfield and Watertown, passed peacefully on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, following a valiant battle against breast cancer, surrounded by loving family at her home in Prospect, Connecticut. She was pre-deceased by her husband Edward Kalita, her son Brian Kalita, and her daughter Nancy (Kalita) Crossin. She is survived by five of her seven children, Susan McKernan and her husband, Rory, of Prospect, Raymond Kalita and his wife, Carolee, of Litchfield, Kenneth Kalita and his wife, Jackie, of Prospect, Judy Pilicy of Watertown, and Alice Spinella and her husband, Ralph, Jr. of Wolcott, her daughter in-law Lena Kalita, and 16 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, all of whom she adored.

Pauline was born in Waterbury, CT on April 8, 1930, daughter of the late Alphee and Julie Bedard. She was a graduate of Waterbury Catholic High School, Class of 1948 and after graduation used her impressive typing skills working for Western Union in Waterbury. Following her marriage in 1950, Pauline and her husband founded the Kalita Insurance Agency in Watertown, where her business acumen and attention to detail helped grow the agency into a major force in the Watertown economy. Her dedication to the Agency was evident as she continued to work part time until she retired at 89. Never one to sit around for long, Pauline then volunteered time at the Prospect Public Library in her 90’s.

A strong, energetic, beautiful woman, Pauline had a zest for life. She loved spending many summers on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, and winters at their house in Florida. She was a long-time member of the Westbury Women’s Club in Watertown, and shared decades with her Bridge Club members until they pre-deceased her within the past year. Pauline cared deeply about her friends, meeting with closest friends weekly and lunching with high school classmates and cousins monthly, well into her 80’s.

Her love and commitment to her seven children ensured that they never did without, and she always found time to help with homework, share life’s lessons, and play with them making puzzles, creating crafts, and playing games. She was an avid cardplayer, particularly enjoying setback, pinochle, and bridge, and her needlework in crewel and embroidery adorn the house to this day.

In later years, Pauline was fortunate to find love again and spent the last fifteen years with Ralph Spinella Sr., until his passing in 2021. The two love birds traveled extensively in Europe, the Caribbean, and two sailing expeditions to Alaska; Pauline’s map of the world was crowded with red pins marking each place she/they visited. As travel became more difficult, Pauline and Ralph would sit together on the deck or patio overlooking the Litchfield countryside or snuggle by the firepit, sipping wine as they toasted their good fortune and love for each other and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were true “poster children” for life after 80; they never stopped dancing.

Pauline will be remembered as a strong, wise, caring woman, and for how much of her time she dedicated to friends and family. She was a wonderful wife and mother, who was always there for her family when they needed her. Her life was a blessing and she was loved beyond words. She will be forever missed.

Arrangements: Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023, from 2:00-4:00 pm at Hickcox Funeral Home, 195 Main St. Watertown, CT. A 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, October 16, 2023, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 574 Main St. Watertown, CT, followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery (669 Platt Rd., Watertown, CT).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pauline’s memory may be made to The Abbey of Regina Laudis c/o Monsignor Tucker, 209 Flanders Rd, Bethlehem, CT 0675, or Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial processing 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105.