Obituary of Kathleen C. Manente
Kathleen Crespo Manente, devoted wife of Ralph A. Manente, entered into eternal rest on February 27, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Gregorio (George) Crespo and Rose Money Crespo. She was born on March 4, 1940, and grew up in the Black Rock area of Bridgeport.
After graduation, she worked as a secretary in the metallurgic lab of Heppenstall. She left after 6 years to raise her children. Prior to her retirement, she was an office manager for Harkins Real Estate Appraisal Service for 12 years. While raising her children, she was a para educator for 13 years at Monroe Elementary School, a job she loved not only because she could be home during summer vacations and school holidays, but because she truly loved children. More than anything, she wished for the happiness and well-being of her family. She was happiest when the whole family vacationed together in Cape Cod and New Hampshire and when they went on a Disney Cruise. She enjoyed summer vacations in Ogunquit, Maine with Ralph. Her hobbies included logic and crossword puzzles, reading, playing online word games with other like-minded individuals, cooking Italian and Hungarian meals, and scrapbooking. Her many scrapbooks depict the lives of family members and will enable future generations to see and understand the lives of previous generations through photographs and journaling. She always saw the good in people, believing that most people are inherently good. A strong belief she had was that there are three beings that depend on the rest of us for their sustenance: they are children, the elderly and pets. An animal lover since childhood, she despised any neglect or cruelty towards them. Interested in archeology, she was always fascinated with ancient civilizations and read and watched documentaries to learn more.
She is survived by her devoted and caring husband of 62 years, loving children – daughter Karen (James) Clausi of Trumbull, and son Michael (Melinda) of Sudbury, MA, four grandchildren – Emily and Allison Clausi, and Maddison and Matthew Manente, one niece and one nephew. She was predeceased by her sister, Joan Carpenter, and grandson, Christopher Manente. In her memory, Kathy would have liked for friends to perform a random act of kindness for someone that will possibly create a ripple effect. She always felt that any act of kindness, no matter how small, was never wasted.
Funeral services and internment were held in private per Kathy's wishes. She wanted her friends to remember her as she was in life. Those desiring may send memorial contributions to her favorite charities: Operation Smile or AmeriCares.