SPRINGFIELD, MASS. — Catherine Marie (Leonard) Trombly, 95, died peacefully on Aug. 7, 2012, at the Jewish Nursing Home, Longmeadow, Mass., from heart-related complications and advanced age. Born in Ludlow, Mass., on July 26, 1917, Catherine was the eldest daughter of Theodore and Mabel (Bouvier) Leonard.
The family subsequently returned to their hometown of Plattsburgh, where she was raised and attended local schools. A member of the Class of 1935, she graduated from D'Youville Academy at St. Peter's Church. Also, in 1935, she married her high school sweetheart, Russell D. Trombly.
Catherine and Russell spent 43 wonderful years together until his passing in 1978. In 1942, they returned to Springfield, Mass., working at the Springfield Armory during the war effort. After the war, Catherine worked for many years in liquor distributing for the former A & J Sales Co. and S & S Distributing Co.
Her greatest passions in her life were her children, grandchildren and extended family. In later years, Catherine loved her Fla. vacations, maintaining a winter residence in Port Orange, Fla., since 1987, which she continued to visit until 2010. Catherine was a 70 year resident of Springfield, living 60 years in the family home on Seymour Avenue in the Pine Point Section. She faithfully attended Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church for 60 years, where she was a member of the Women's Club. Catherine and her sisters also belonged to Our Lady of Hope and St. Mary's Women's Club.
Affectionately known as "Meaney," she raised three children and helped raise eight grandchildren, five great-grand children and two great-great-grandchildren.
Catherine was predeceased by her parents, her husband, an infant son, Wayne David; her brother, Gerald Leonard; her sisters, Marion Donah, Elizabeth McDonald, and Pauline Hutchins; her sisters-in-law, Hazel Brunell, Mildred Carpentier and Ruby Arbenger. Sadly, Aunt Cate was also predeceased by her nephew, Gerald Donah, and her niece, Linda Leonard Wessig.
She is survived by her children, Janice (Frank) Orszulak of Longmeadow, Mass., Springfield Realtor Roger Trombly, and Richard (Margaret) Trombly of Ware, Mass., her sisters-in-law, Marion Leonard Dunphy of East Longmeadow, Audrey Traynor of Grand Island, Vt., and Betty (Arnold) Pavone of Plattsburgh. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren, Christopher Orszulak, Matthew Orszulak, Justin Orszulak and Lindsey Orszulak all of Longmeadow, her step grandchildren Donna Bennett, John Lavallee, Jill Lavallee Talamo and JamieAnne Wray. In addition, Catherine held a special place in her heart for her niece, Diane and husband Robert Branconnier; and her loving friend and caregiver, Richard Dietrich.
The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the absolute wonderful care Catherine received from her team of caregivers at the Jewish Nursing Home in Longmeadow, especially Dr. Freedberg, Beth, Charrisa and Charmaine; and her evening angels, Adriana, Debby and Catherine. There were too numerous to name.
Calling hours were held from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Tazzini Funeral Home, 22 Locust St., Springfield, concluding with a prayer service. Catherine's funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, in St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. The family will meet people starting at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Church, where Catherine will lie in repose. Following the Mass, there will be a procession to St. Peter's Cemetery, where Catherine will be interred in the Trombly family plot.
