Catherine (Kate) Hitchcock, 98, of Plymouth, formerly of Naugatuck, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 21, 2026. Catherine was born on July 21, 1928, in Iselin, PA, the daughter of the late Demitrius and Bertha Perock.

Kate was one of 10 children. She and her family migrated from PA to New York City when the coal mines closed. She then moved to upper New York state where she lived on a farm and experienced her fondest memories of feeding the chickens and milking the cows. Being outdoors and working the land gave her the most pleasure.  

When she was 16 years old her father passed away and the family moved to Naugatuck for work where she became employed at Uniroyal. After that she served as a waitress for over 27 years at Howard Johnsons with her sisters. She ended her career at 68 retiring from Peter Paul Company.  

Kate loved to ride horses, square dance and garden. She traveled with a shovel, her tools and a weed wacker in her trunk in case the opportunity came up to clean up someone’s yard that did not meet her expectations. Fondly known as Grammie Kate, she was the one everyone went to for help. She was the defender of anyone in need and all things “Made in the USA”. She was a true American Patriot and flew her American flag everyday. 

Kate’s greatest joy was being surrounded by family. She married Charles (“Chippy”) Hitchcock in 1956 and had 5 children. All of her siblings lived locally with most residing on or near Perock Lane. She gained so much pleasure spending time with her grandchildren where she taught them kindness, humility, unconditional love and unwavering belief in the Lord.   

She leaves behind her two daughters, Jacqueline Martins of Plymouth and Mary DePinho of Middlebury and sons-in-law Kevin Lawlor and Ronald DePinho, former son-in-law Joseph Martins.  She also leaves behind 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  She is predeceased by her husband Charles and her children Michael Hitchcock, Jody Lawlor and Peter Hitchcock and her nine siblings.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday, October 30, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Buckmiller Ford Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck, CT. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to: Hartford Healthcare Hospice.