Therese A. Katona

Therese A. (Williams) Katona, 89, a longtime resident of Brockton, died at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. She was the wife of the late Louis Katona. The youngest daughter of the late Fred and Julia (Cotter) Williams, she was born in Stoughton and graduated from St. Mary's School and Stoughton High School. In a 2012 video recorded for family history, Therese described herself as a woman born before her time, adding she wanted to do things her older sisters never had a chance to do, or never wanted to do. Specifically, she meant furthering her education. She was determined to go to college, and in 1975 at the age of 49, she obtained a psychology degree with high honors from Stonehill College. She went on to serve as a special education teacher in the Brockton Public Schools for many years. When speaking of her classroom experience, both as a student and as a teacher, Therese said, "I loved every minute of it."
Therese is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Peck of Brockton. She will also be missed by her close friends Joyce and Thomas Phaneuf of East Bridgewater. Therese considered Joyce a second daughter. She was predeceased by her sisters, Mary Brown, Margaret Hallett, Christine Engel and Patricia Lincoln. She was also predeceased by her nephews, Thomas Brown, Joseph Hallett, Robert Hallett and James Hallett. She is also survived by her nieces, Mary Ugo and Judith Leonard and her nephews, John Lincoln and Gerald Lincoln, as well as 12 grand-nieces and nephews, Dianna Hallett, Michael Hallett, Peggy Hallett Gray, Paul Ugo, Mary-Lou Ugo, Steven Brown, Kevin Reagan, Kelli Reagan Lauzon, Koleen Reagan Kipperman, Hillary Lincoln, Courtney Lincoln and Brent Lincoln. She is also survived by 18 great-grand-nieces and nephews, including Victoria and Elizabeth Brown.
Therese was always an animal lover and despised animal cruelty in any form. She will be missed by her faithful dog Dinah, just as Therese missed her many canine companions who passed on before her.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Visiting hours and funeral services are being omitted. Donations in Therese's memory may be made to the MSPCA, 350 S. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.