Obituary: Kathleen ‘Kate’ M. Schrass, 66, of West Hartford

From Molloy Funeral Home

Kathleen "Kate" M. Schrass, 66, of West Hartford, passed away, surrounded by family, December 9, 2017. She was born in Orange, New Jersey, daughter of Wilber and Madeline MacLeod. She leaves her beloved husband, Walter "Wally"; her son Walter and his wife, Kristen of Los Angeles; and a daughter, Madeline "Mady" and her fiancee, Francis "Frankie" of Boston. She also leaves her sister, Mary and cousins, Betsy, Susan, and Alex with whom she all grew up with.

She began higher education in Washington D.C. at Dunbarton College where she maintained an active role in politics and advocacy for equal and women's rights. She carried that torch through the years, encouraging women of all ages, and continuing to push for stronger policies and funding to support equal rights and education.

She met Wally in Pittsburgh while finishing her masters at Duquesne University. She loved her husband, and the life and family they built with one another. A perfect pair. A team. Always together. Kate and Wally. Their gatherings with friends and family were epic, celebrating St. Patrick's Day every year surrounded by silly hats, decorations, and Irish ballads. Eventually they expanded to having a Christmas party when the children would all return home for the winter break. They celebrated life and love with everyone.

She was awarded a rotary scholarship to study in Wales where they enjoyed a year together abroad. Her Celtic roots were always important, but Wales always maintained a special fondness, perhaps most from the friends and memories made there.

They returned to Connecticut and she began working in special education in the Manchester Public School system. She eventually transitioned to a position in the West Hartford Public School system to be closer to her children as they grew up and that was where she stayed until she retired. She worked to expand the daily school routine for her students with special needs, helping insert them into the fabric of regular education classes to further their education and lives. She enjoyed every moment of it; most of all the people, her fellow teachers and students.

She lost her mother at a young age, and did everything in her power to provide a life full of joy, happiness, and support for her children with every breath she took. Whether it was attending the assembly to watch them sing in the choir, staying up late to finish a paper on the typewriter, or being their biggest cheerleader as she encouraged and supported them to follow their dreams each and every day, that was what she loved most of all, being a mom. It was her favorite thing, and she spread that love and opened her home with her husband to so many others that friends were in fact family. She would want it no other way.

A memorial celebration of her life will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on December 15, 2017 at Molloy Funeral Home in West Hartford. Memorial gifts in Kate's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org and Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund at CWEALF.org

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Molloy Funeral Home here.