Katherine (Michalski) Macsata

Katherine Macsata, 90, of Milford, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at Connecticut Hospice. She was the devoted and cherished mother of Deborah Fuchs and beloved mother-in-law of Robert Fuchs.

Katherine was born in Villerupt, France on April 24, 1932 to Katarzyna (Catherine) and Michal Michalski. Her lifelong tenacity and fortitude were shaped by a challenging childhood during the World War II German invasion of France. Along with her mother and brother, she was forced to relocate multiple times, finally settling in Bordeaux. It was there she learned her father had perished in a German work camp. By the age of 23, she was an accomplished pilot, holding licenses for prop and glider planes, and delighted in parachuting and other feats. Her sense of adventure then brought her to the United States where she proudly became an American citizen.

In 1972, Katherine fulfilled the dream of owning her own dress shop. She stepped out with courage and an entrepreneurial spirit when she purchased Mildred Ressler’s in New Haven. It was there that she dedicated herself to providing personalized and caring service to meet the needs of women near and far. Her beloved customers could depend on Katherine's impeccable and elegant sense of style to know they would always look their best. Katherine was also a talented baker whose famous French butter cookies and Buche de Noel were true labors of love. Her many customers and friends looked forward to her generous platters and tins of treats during the holidays. In her heyday, she would make upwards of over 30,000 cookies starting the day after Thanksgiving, a tradition she kept right up to this past Christmas.

Katherine retired in 1997 to embark upon a new chapter of adventures. She would spend the summer months every year in Paris or with her brother, Mario, traveling and exploring every country in and around Europe. She always returned to Connecticut with amazing stories, especially about the predicaments her brother would get them into – some associated with the fact that he would never back up the camping van! Memorable moments included losing their passports to gypsies in Romania and having their lunch stolen by monkeys in Gibraltar.

Her winter months were spent in South Florida with her family, their assorted pets and visitors. When she wasn’t cruising, casino hopping or sightseeing with her many friends, she enjoyed relaxing poolside solving crossword puzzles. Every evening she looked forward to the culinary masterpieces prepared by her daughter and son-in-law “Chef Roberto” while she sipped a pre-dinner cocktail and guessed the answers on Wheel of Fortune. But most of all, Katherine adored her family’s exotic birds, Archie, Luna and Merlin, and her bunny, Oreo. On nice days, she could always be found on the front porch where she would spend hours scratching the birds with her perfectly manicured nails. Neighbors would often join her for a cup of coffee and a nice chat.

Katherine also looked forward to volunteering for Edgerton‘s annual Sunday in the Park event.  She manned her station in the Archie Moore’s Tent preparing the Ploughman’s Lunch and serving hundreds of attendees. She also had a passion for clamming - her record was over 175 in one day. One of her favorite stories was when the game warden ordered her to put the clams back. Indignantly she refused, declaring her riparian rights and kept her catch.

In addition to her daughter, son-in-law and pets, she leaves her grandchild, Amy, her many nieces and nephews in France, and many friends including her best friend, Marie Calabrese.

A mass to celebrate her life will be held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 9 Eld St., New Haven on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 10 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a donation to the Rhode Island Parrot Rescue, or a Ukrainian refugee fund be made in Katherine’s name. 

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