Katherine Margaret Carlson - January 15, 1930 to August 21, 2017

Katherine Carlson, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday evening August 21, 2017 at The Hospital of Central CT New Britain.

Born Katherine Margaret Vandrilla in Clearwater, Florida, she spent much of her early years shuttling between Connecticut and Florida with her father, Salvadore Vandrilla, and mother, Margaret Vandrilla (Mastrianni).

She graduated from Berlin High School in 1947 and in 1951 married LeRoy Wesley “Bud” Carlson in St. Paul Church, Kensington.  “Bud” was a WWII Navy veteran, quality control engineer at Peck Spring of Plainville and they remained together until his passing in 2011.  They lived for many years in the town of Berlin, retired to the state of New Hampshire, and eventually came back to Connecticut.  She loved the town of Berlin, and the many friends that Bud and her cultivated over the years.

Kay was employed for many years as a bookkeeper at Mickey Finn Stores and became the first non-family member to officially attain the age of retirement while working there.  One of her favorite pastimes was to occasionally act in Berlin Play House productions.  Her outdoor activities included camping with the family and she also became an avid snowmobiler.  In her later years, she enjoyed reading the latest popular mystery and crime novels, followed the New York Football Giants, squeezed in periodic trips to the Connecticut casinos and spent time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchild, and friends.

Kay was a devoted Mother of 3 children:  Dennis, Peter and Mark, who are all Connecticut residents, mother-in-law to Anne Carlson (Blejewski), grandmother to 5; Sarah, Heather, Sabrina, Joseph, Jeremy and great grandmother to Lilly.  She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In keeping with Katherine’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral service.

To share memories of Kay with her family, please visit www.berlinmemorialfuneralhome.com

 Service Information