Catherine Flaherty Condio, 78, a longtime resident and community leader of East Hartford, passed away peacefully at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Coventry on January 15, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Lipsky) Flaherty. She graduated from a private all-womens college in Boston, and pursued her passions in dental hygiene while showing and riding Morgan horses. She married the love of her life, the late John Joseph Condio of Manchester, and moved to East Hartford where she devoted more than 40 years to her community.

For decades, Condio helped organize what became Riverfront Recapture’s biggest outdoor celebration, the Forth of July Riverfront festival, coordinating everything from her command post and golf cart running up and down the levees on the East Hartford side of the river. She then helped start up and run the longstanding Quinnetukut Rendezvous & Native American Festival, the Wapping Fair in South Windsor, helped start the Podunk Bluegrass Festival in East Hartford’s Martin Park. She could be counted on to organize events such as the Veteran’s Day parade in Hartford, the Mark Twain Day celebration, and numerous and memorable public celebrations and events for Riverfront Recapture on both sides of the Connecticut River.

Always a presence in every election campaign in her town, from candidate kick-off to tallying up election night results, Cathy’s selfless devotion was recognized as she was named Democrat Woman of the Year in East Hartford. She always answered the call, and brought her signature passion and purpose to the election campaigns of mayors, governors, senators and educators. Cathy stepped up when asked, serving on the East Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission. She was elected as a town constable, and served as a Justice of the Peace – just a few of the local leadership roles she held.

Her greatest joy, however, came from memories she made as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her crafts, parties and meals cooked at holiday time are legendary. She enjoyed hunting, fishing and skeet shooting, times shared with family and life-long friends. A true pioneer for the women of our generation, she was a go-getter and an inspiration, and will be so deeply loved and missed.

Services for Cathy were to be held privately.