Obituary of Katherine A. Shields

Katherine A. (Olsen) Shields, age 86 of Trumbull, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Lord Chamberlain in Stratford. Known to friends and family as Kate, she was the beloved wife of the late Joseph E. Shields, to whom she was married for 44 years. Born in Queens, New York on December 29, 1938, she was the eldest daughter of the late Joseph and Elvira (McGloin) Olsen.

Kate had a long career as a teacher on Long Island, touching the lives of generations of children and instilling in them a love of reading and writing and the belief that everyone can be an author. A proud alumna of Fordham University and Dowling College, she was a voracious reader and a true lifelong learner — with interests that ranged from world religions and world history to metaphysical philosophy, ecology, and current events. Kate was a talented artist and loved to share her work with friends, creating everything from greeting cards and birth announcements to landscape paintings. Known to them as "Gram," she also greatly enjoyed making cards and pictures for her grandchildren, spending many happy hours teaching them drawing techniques and sketching alongside them.

Kate loved taking daily walks, regardless of the weather, and she taught herself carpentry and would build small items out of wood that she found while out walking. She loved to travel and counted among her favorite memories the trips she took with her husband to Ireland, Italy, France, and Nova Scotia. While at home Kate could often be found in her vegetable garden or cozied up somewhere with a book and a hot cup of tea. She loved the warmth of the sun on her face and the first hint of fall in the air, and she was a strong believer in the power of cat naps.

Kate is survived by her two loving children, Maura (Shields) Verna and husband, Greg; and Brian Shields and his wife, Victoria, and five cherished grandchildren: Samson, Jane, Luke, Nathan, and Claire. She is also survived by siblings Fred Olsen and his wife, Brenda; Mary McGee (Bill); Connie Schifano and her husband, Salvatore; and Joseph Olsen and his partner, Pninah Bat Natanel. She was predeceased by her brother John Olsen (Anne) and sister Grace Capozzi (Bob).

All are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated on December 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. directly in St. Stephen Church, 6948 Main Street., Trumbull. Interment will be private. Arrangements are in care of the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Kate's honor may be made to Reading Is Fundamental at click here: www.rif.org To leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.abriola.com.