Catherine Ann Hufault

Catherine Ann Hufault, 82, of Lago Vista, TX (formerly Killeen, TX) passed away on Friday, May 27, 2022.

Catherine (Cathy to her family & friends, Nana to her beloved grandsons) was born on January 6, 1940 to Clayton Albert & Agnes Alice Durkee in Ware, MA.  She lived much of her younger years in East Brookfield, MA.   After graduating from David Prouty High School (Spencer, MA) in 1958 she began working at Wrights Ribbon Company in Warren, MA. 

It was at Wrights, where she met the love of her life, Armand Hufault.  Although to hear Armand tell it, she was not smitten at first.   Apparently, his wooing worked, because the two were married on June 17, 1961.  They enjoyed almost 61 years of marriage together and had a love story for the books.   Reading their love letters to each other would make anyone envious. 

She moved to Wappingers Falls, NY, when Armand took a job for IBM.  They lived in NY for roughly 20 years before moving to Simi Valley, CA.  Eventually, Armand’s job took them to Austin, TX.  Catherine held several occupations while child rearing and living in different cities.  From running the office at an auto parts store in Fishkill, NY, to being a Team Lead at a data entry company in Austin, TX, Catherine had a work ethic that employers admired.   Many of her co-workers became good friends.   They called her witty, smart, a good listener, a great friend, funny, and a hard worker.  She never really retired because once Armand left IBM, they ran a Texas native plant nursery together.   It was very physical and a daily responsibility, but Catherine pushed through to support her husband.  Armand gave up the business when they moved from Jarrell to Killeen, but the two still liked to garden, putter in the yard and take day trips.   She really didn't slow down until she had a stroke in 2019.  The stroke coupled with a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma later that year, took their toll over the next few years.   The two left Killeen to move in with their daughter and son-in-law, when Catherine was getting too unsteady.   

Catherine loved writing poetry, gardening, reading, driving fast and collecting elephant mementoes.  She LOVED her elephants.  Catherine was a neat freak, she loved things to be spotless and in their place.  Catherine was a great cook and she loved being with her family.  She supported her kids in whatever their life choices were even if it meant listening to her son practice playing the drums or watching her daughter attempt modeling school.  She enjoyed watching her grandsons’ many activities, drove miles to attend them and was their biggest fan.    Catherine had a servant’s heart and giving hands.  She was compassionate and fiercely protective.  She will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.

Catherine is survived by her husband Armand, son & daughter-in-law Michael and Sarah Hufault, daughter & son-in-law Michelle and Doug Hines, grandsons Dylan and Mason Hines, brother & sister-in-law Howard & Marion Durkee and their children as well as sister-in-law Rosie (Hufault) Rose and her children. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Darren Kocs and his staff from Texas Oncology who treated Catherine with dignity and respect as well as thank the staff from Cedar Pointe Health & Wellness who made her final days on earth peaceful and comfortable.

Catherine’s family will have a private celebration of life at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, they request donations are made to your local library, local no-kill shelter or World Wildlife Fund (specifically protecting elephants) which Catherine felt strongly about, or plant a tree in her memory. 

In closing, please enjoy a few scriptures her family holds close in their heart ~

“…I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die…”  John 11:25–26 (ESV): 25

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” Psalms 23:4 NLT