Kathleen Gacek (Fredericks), 72 of Berlin, CT departed this life peacefully on April 27, 2026 after a short stay in hospice care, after a nine month battle with Glioblastoma. Known by her friends and family as Kathy, she was born January 2, 1954, daughter to the late Earl and Carole (Margelot) Fredericks of New Britain, CT. Kathy is survived by her loving husband Jacob (Jack, Jake) of 52 years and her son Brian. She was predeceased by her son Steven. Kathy is additionally survived by her sisters Eileen Beresford and her husband Peter of New Britain, Patricia Gigliotti and her husband Michael of Berlin, Nancy Walton and her husband Matthew of Berlin, her sister-in-law Laura Fredericks of Nantucket, Massachusetts, along with many nieces, nephews and friends. Kathy was predeceased by her brother David Fredericks, age 67 in March of 2026. Kathy was a loving, caring and wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend; always putting others before herself and always seeing the best in people.

A New Britain High School graduate, Kathy loved helping others. In that spirit, she spent her 30 plus year career as a Registered Nurse after graduating from Quinnipiac School of Nursing. Kathy worked at New Britain General Hospital for many years and retired from nursing in 2017, having spent the last several years of her career working in outpatient GI. Kathy was the recipient of the Nightingale award for nursing, a testament to her devotion and exemplary service as a nurse. Kathy truly believed in God and was a parishioner at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Kensington, CT, formerly serving as a eucharistic minister. Kathy loved spending time in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, a lovely seaside town where she and Jack have a second home.

Kathy always believed in “doing the right thing”, and after losing her son Steven to a drunk driver in 2003, Kathy and her family went on to pursue a change in the drunk driving laws with the help of State Senator Donald DeFronzo. The net result was an amendment to the Connecticut General Statutes which closed a loophole that had previously allowed a driver to operate a vehicle while awaiting a license suspension for a prior offense. The bill was signed into law in 2004 by Governor Rowland. Kathy organized and sponsored a blood drive in memory of her son Steven for many years as well, personally making calls to donors to attend.

In addition to her husband Jack and son Brian, the true joy of Kathy’s life during the last 15 years was her dog Carter. After twisting Jack’s arm, Carter arrived as a six week old puppy. Upon arrival to the airport, Kathy gently reached into Carter’s travel carrier and placed him against herself inside her coat, forming an instant bond. Whether it was taking him for a walk, preparing his food, or just sitting next to him on the couch, Carter was truly “man’s best friend” to Kathy. He will miss her just as much as she will miss him.

A funeral service celebrating Kathy’s life will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with a visitation from 8:30 – 9:30am at the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain, a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10am St. Paul’s Church, Kensington. Burial will follow at Maple Cemetery in Kensington, CT.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that memorial contributions be made in Kathy’s name to St. Jude Childern’s Research Hospital, a place Kathy held dear to her heart, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Farrell Funeral Home located in New Britain, CT has been entrusted with the arrangements.