NAUGATUCK — Catherine “Kay” (Pichulo) Mulinski, 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 11, 2016 in Goshen, at the home of her daughter, Kathy DeCarlo. She was the loving wife of the late Walter P. Mulinski.
Born in her family home in the Little Italy section of Naugatuck on June 19, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Edward R. and Mary Carmella “Mamie” (DeCarlo) Pichulo. She was proud of her heritage and lived most of her life in the family home at 520 South Main St. She liked to reminisce about growing up among her many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins in the neighborhood. She was a graduate of Naugatuck High School Class of 1938.
Mrs. Mulinski worked in the office at Breen’s Department store for several years before going to work for and later retiring from the accounting department at Uniroyal’s Footwear Division. Following retirement, she went back to work as secretary for the design engineering department at Uniroyal’s Chemical Division.
Kay was instrumental in the fundraising efforts to build St. Vincent Ferrer Church of which she was a lifelong member. She was also a founding member of the St. Vincent Ferrer Ladies Guild and the creator of the “Dinner Dance” many years ago, which was very successful in raising building funds.
Kay is survived by three sons, Mitchell Mulinski and his wife, Wanda, of Beacon Falls, Frank Mulinski of California, and Walter P. Mulinski Jr. of New Hampshire? two daughters, Marilyn Knight-Griffin and her husband, Colin, of Maryland, with whom she made her home previously, and Kathy DeCarlo and her fiance, Charles Fennimore, of Goshen, with whom she lived for the last few years? a sister, Gloria dePinho of Florida? 13 grandchildren? 16 great-grandchildren? and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by five brothers, Anthony, Louis, Eugene, Joseph and Ernest; and her daughter-in-law, Heidi Mulinski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 23, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck. Those attending are asked to please meet directly at church. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. Family and friends may call on Friday, April 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Buckmiller, Thurston, Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck.
In lieu of flowers, to honor Catherine’s memory, contributions may be made to St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck, 06770.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
