Kathleen Roelofsen
On May 24, 2024, Kathleen “Kathy” (Andrukaitis) Roelofsen, 77, a lifelong resident of Killingworth, passed away at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven. She was the wife of the late George Roelofsen Sr. Kathy was born in New Haven on April 6, 1947, the daughter of the late George Andrukaitis and Sophie (Samolis) Andrukaitis. She was the loving mother of Lori Clemente (Jim), George Roelofsen Jr. (Karen Russo), and Cheryl Byrum (Barry Weinsteiger), all of Killingworth. She was the loving grandmother of Jillian, Jordan and Jimmy Clemente, Cody and Kaitlyn Byrum, and George III and Kendyl Roelofsen and Taylor Russo; sister of Joseph Andrukaitis of Nipomo, California, and the late Georgiana Larkin and Barbara Edwards.
Kathy is a 1964 graduate of the Morgan School in Clinton. She dedicated her life to her family and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, school functions, award ceremonies, and extra-curricular activities. She dedicated countless hours at pools throughout New England, cheering for all of her “grandchildren” from ages five through adults. Summers were spent on family vacations, floating in the pool, bowling, trips to Six Flags, summer movies, visiting the campground, and Cape Cod. She was the proud driving instructor to five of her grandchildren. When she was not being “Grandma,” Kathy could be found at her sewing machine sewing for her friends Annette and Townie Swag, at Foxwoods playing bingo, or at Mohegan Sun playing her favorite penny slots. Her loyalty perks were shared with her family through buffets, free gifts, too many concerts to count, and the occasional overnight stay. The annual Christmas cookie baking day, the Easter Bunny cake decorating, and the annual Easter Egg hunt were cherished events. (There are three eggs yet to be found!)
Kathy was involved in many Killingworth organizations, such as Killingworth Elementary School PTA President, Killingworth Youth League softball coach, and Haddam-Killingworth High School Project Graduation Decorating Committee, to name a few. She was a 38-year member of the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary.
Her family would like to thank her generous stem cell donor and her team at Smilow Cancer Hospital, especially Dr. Shallis and Lisa, for their caring and skilled treatment.
Friends are invited to calling hours from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, at St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation, 54 Grove Street, Clinton. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Jillian Clemente’s 100 mile Closer To Free Bike Ride: www.rideclosertofree.org fundraiser search Jillian Clemente. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.