Mrs Kathleen L Synnott

WOLCOTT - Kathleen L. (Brennan) Synnott, 69, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, April 9, 2018 at the VITAS In-patient Hospice Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital. She was the best friend and wife of Jack Synnott for 52 years. Born January 29, 1949, Kathy was the daughter of the late Robert H. and Teresa E. Brennan (D’Angelo) of Waterbury. She was educated in the Waterbury school system and graduated from Southern Connecticut State College in 1970 with a BA degree in Education. Upon graduation, she immediately began what would become a life of teaching, and the joy of her heart, spanning 38 years. She primarily taught 3rd grade in the Wolcott school system, ending her career at Frisbie School in 2016.

Her dedication and love of teaching was widely known to all who knew her. She was usually the first to arrive in the morning and her school day never ended when the buses rolled out as she could be found nightly after supper for hours at her kitchen table, correcting papers and adjusting lesson plans. When not teaching in the public school system during the week, Kathy could always be found on Sunday mornings teaching the word of God to the children of Wolcott. Her heart’s desire to see her students flourish and the love she had for each knew no bounds. Upon her bittersweet retirement, she immediately returned to her former classroom as a volunteer to assist her dear friends and former co-workers Tara Taylor and Jan Discepolo. What little free time remained when Kathy was not volunteering at her former school was filled at the Silas Bronson library, volunteering for Literacy Volunteers, teaching adults to read.

When school was not in session, Kathy could always be found tending to her flower beds or tackling a laundry list of projects she always had mapped out for herself. She could be found daily walking the country roads of Farmingbury, racking up many miles per week, usually leaving friends and family in the rear view for those who attempted to keep pace with her. Memorial Days were always spent riding shotgun in Jack’s `63 red corvette, accompanying Miss Wolcott in the annual town parade. Though petite in physical stature, Kathy had an enormous heart of kindness, gentleness and compassion which was surely felt by all who were blessed to know her.    

The few times a year when she did relax, she could be found walking the beaches of Yarmouth, Mass or Ogunquit, Maine in quiet solitude.

Kathy’s greatest challenge came at the end of her life. While battling cancer, she endeavored to hang on until the birth of her first grandchild. Her strong will to hold her first grandchild never wavered. Her wish to exchange their first touch came the day little Brayden began his life’s journey into the outside world; his last touch of grandma’s love was felt just hours before the Lord called her home.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Jack Synnott of Wolcott, her son Shawn Synnott, his wife Amanda and grandson Brayden Jack-Roy of Southington, CT.; her sister Patricia Muzyka of Waterbury, CT; her brother Michael Brennan and his wife Nancy of Wolcott; her brother-in-law Rick Synnott and his wife Betty of Winsted CT; her sister-in-law Ruth James of Watertown, CT and several nieces and nephews.

Kathy’s family extends its most sincere thanks to the staff of VITAS In-patient Hospice Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital for their gracious and compassionate care of our loved one in her final days.

Calling hours are Thursday, April 12 from 5PM to 8 PM at Woodtick Memorial, 420 Woodtick Rd. Wolcott. A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, April 13 at 10 AM at St. Pius Church in Wolcott. Please meet directly at church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

To leave notes of comfort for Kathy’s family, visit her tribute page at www.woodtickmemorial.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kathy’s name to The Wolcott Food Pantry,
358 Woodtick Rd., Wolcott, CT 06716.