Catherine Barbara (Kendrick) Rehnberg

Catherine Barbara (Kendrick) Rehnberg, 84, wife of John “Jack” Daniel Rehnberg, died peacefully on Friday, May 13, 2022.  Fondly known as “Cathy”, she was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only daughter of the late James Arthur and Mary Madelyn (MacDonell) Kendrick.  She was also predeceased by her son, Brian Joseph Rehnberg, and her grandson, Brendan John Rehnberg.

Growing up in Brooklyn, Catherine attended St. Mary Gate of Heaven Grammar School and Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School (1955). She graduated from St. Joseph’s College in 1959.  While in college, Cathy was a tour guide at Rockefeller Center on weekends and during the summer.  But it was her extensive training in special education that launched her teaching career in New York City and later in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Cathy and Jack were high school sweethearts and married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Richmond Hill, New York, on July 9, 1960. Following their marriage, they drove cross-country to Kirtland Airforce Base in Albuquerque where Jack was stationed.  In 1962, they moved to Rochester, New York, and in 1963, they relocated to Norwalk, Connecticut where they lived for over 55 years. 

Catherine was a full-time mother to five children.  Providing carpool duty to/from school, swim practice, hockey rinks, lacrosse games and trips to the library, Cathy also served as President of the Home-School Association and on the Board of the American Association of University Women.   Cathy resumed teaching in 1978 as a part-time homebound teacher (keeping ill and injured children current with classroom work) and was an occasional substitute teacher for St. Aloysius School in New Canaan.  Additionally, Cathy taught multiple grades at St. Joseph School in South Norwalk for many years.  She loved to teach children to read.  Her love of books was evident by the stacks of library books that she had at her bedside and easy chair. 

When Cathy retired from teaching, she worked as an office assistant for the law firm of D’Andrea & Cacace and as a receptionist at the Silver Hill Hospital.  She was an active member of the Women’s Board of Norwalk Hospital and was a dedicated volunteer for over 25 years at The Treasure House, a primary fundraiser for Norwalk Hospital.  Cathy was also a member of the Shore & Country Club for over 50 years where she enjoyed cheering on her children during swim meets, sailing at the marina, and playing bridge with the ladies in the clubhouse. 

She is survived by her husband of nearly 62 years, John Daniel Rehnberg currently of Hamden, and her children: Jacqueline “Jacquie” and her husband, John DeMartini of San Mateo, California;  Kevin and his wife, Cheryl Bock of  Excelsior, Minnesota; Claire and her husband, Sean Nicholson of Ithaca, New York; and Patrick and his wife, Karen Rehnberg of Bel Air, Maryland; her 8 grandchildren: Caitlin (Emily), Erik (Malinda), Kevin, Alexander “Buzz”, Ryan, Vincent, Angelo and Julia ; as well as many nieces and nephews and Canadian relatives.

Her family will receive friends on Sunday, May 22, 2022 from 2-5 pm at the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, Norwalk.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 23, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, with burial to follow at St John Cemetery, Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to: Apple Rehab Guilford, Attn: David Bouchard, Administrator, 10 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437.  Another way to honor Catherine would be to donate a book in her name to your local library.

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