Obituary of Katherine Masset Sims

Killingworth: Katherine Masset Sims, age 96 of Killingworth passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. She was the beloved wife for 53 years of Charles Sims who predeceased her on June 22, 1994. Katherine had been a resident of Killingworth for the past 10 years and was a former longtime resident of Staten Island, New York. She was born in Torrington on November 23, 1918 the daughter of Henry G. and Katie (Sommer) Masset. She was a graduate of Hunter High School and Hunter College in New York City. She received her Masters Degree in Library Science from Pratt College in Brooklyn, New York. Katherine was the Supervisor of Public School Libraries on Staten Island for the Board of Education, City of New York, retiring in 1980 after 35 years. She also taught children's literature at The College of Staten Island. She was an avid photographer and was a member of the Staten Island Photography Club and enjoyed taking photography classes throughout the country. She was also a quilter and member of the quilting group at the Eltingville Lutheran Church. Katherine loved to travel and in her 70's enjoyed a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Katherine was a member of The Congregational Church in Killingworth, United Church of Christ. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother and special "GG" to her great-grandchildren. She leaves her children, Karen Montross of Killingworth, and Jeffrey C. Sims and his wife Yvonne of Waterford, her grandchildren, Jennifer O'Brien and her husband, Brendan of Ledyard, and Katie Swenson and her husband, Anders of Pepperell, MA., her great-grandchildren, Owen, Sean, Emma and Oliver. Katherine also is survived by her nephews, Andre' Vanderzanden, MD., and his wife Edwinna Vanderzanden, Esq., of New Hampshire and their children, and Michael Vanderzanden and his wife Karen, of Pennsylvania and their children, and her niece, Barbara Vanderzanden of Maine. She was predeceased by her sister-in-law and friend, Rosalie Vanderzanden, and her niece Leslie Vanderzanden. Private graveside services will be conducted in the Ocean View Cemetery on Staten Island by her family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Katherine's name to The Congregational Church in Killingworth, UCC, 273 Route 81, Killingworth, CT 06419 or to the Killingworth Library Association, P.O. Box 725, Killingworth, CT 06419. To share a memory of Katherine or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com . Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.