Kathleen Dipollina
New London — Kathleen “Kathi” Sullivan Dipollina entered eternal life May 1, 2024, in the comfort of her loving family. She was born July 12, 1937, daughter of the late Beatrice Paquette Sullivan and Arthur Sullivan. She joins in heaven her husband of 60 years, John J. Dipollina Sr.
Kathi attended local schools, graduating from New London High School. Working since high school, she went on to be a valued paralegal, most recently for Attorney Eugene Cushman, retiring at 72.
Mom was one of the original caregivers, always willing to open her home to anyone who needed some support and eventually caring for her husband through a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She always had open arms filled with love and advice (whether you wanted it or not), but most of the time, she was right! Her family liked to call her the best hugger ever! Kathi was a longtime sports fan, whether for all her grandchildren at their sporting events, the UConn women’s basketball team long before it was in mode or her Red Sox and Celtics teams. Most of all, she enjoyed her family. We are all grateful to be local and were able to be with her.
She is survived by three children and their spouses, Jeffrey (Donna) Dipollina, Susan (Robert) Driscoll and John (Laura) Dipollina. She also leaves to cherish her memory her loving grandchildren: Daniel (Lauren), Shane (Bree), MacKenzie (Kyle), Jordan, Dylan, Dante, Whitney, Matthew and Christopher; and her great-grandchildren: Jack, Brendan, Briggs, Liam, Jayne, Ford, Elle and Sienna, whom she so wanted to meet at the end of the month. Kathi is also survived by her brothers, Dave (Nancy) Sullivan and Paul Sullivan. Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her brother Alan; and sister Shirley.
The family would like to thank Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and Hartford Healthcare Hospice, who were so kind and caring to Kathi and her family at the very end, when she could no longer stay in her home.
Her family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 6, at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Avenue, New London. Guests are asked to gather for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 63 Old Norwich Road, Quaker
Hill. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. If you are so inclined, donations in her memory may be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer at www. lustgarten.org or Operation Smile at operationsmile.org/ smile.