KATHERINE M. NADEAU (ANAS)

Katherine M. (Anas) Nadeau, 89, of Auburn, died Monday, December 12, 2011 in the Meadows of Leicester after an illness.

Her husband, William J. “Red” Nadeau, died in 2005.

She leaves her three sons: William R. Nadeau of Auburn, Philip J. Nadeau of Worcester, and Timothy P. Nadeau and his wife Laurie; three grandchildren: Erin, Chris, and Lyndsey Nadeau, all of Leicester; and a cousin, Norma Rung of New Jersey. She was predeceased by her brothers: James and John Anas.

Katherine was born in Worcester; she was the daughter of the late Peter and Margaret (Peristere) Anas. She was educated in Worcester schools, later graduating from Commerce High in Worcester.

Not many people could meet Katherine and fail to fall in love with her pleasant and accepting ways. Any person who experienced the pleasure of her company would walk away from the encounter feeling better about his or herself and the state of humanity. In fact, in her later years at the nursing home she served as a kind of home-bred psychologist known for listening and consoling her friends in times of crisis.

She was very involved in church activities, loved music and dancing, and was happy in her role as a mother. She was an avid gardener, enjoyed cooking and canned her own vegetables.

Katherine gained near-celebrity status for her malapropisms ala Yogi Berra. A favorite story tells about the time the family drove by a lobster restaurant that was next to a fresh water pond. “They must catch the lobsters in that water” she knowingly observed. She had us all in stitches.

Katherine Margaret Nadeau will be greatly missed by all those who had the distinct pleasure of knowing her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours from 5-8 PM Thursday, December 15, 2011 in the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central St., Auburn. A Trisagion Service will be held at 6:30 PM. Her funeral service will be held at 10 AM Friday in the St. Mary’s Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park.