Kathleen Lenihan, 60, had been a teacher

Kathleen F. Lenihan, 60, died Aug. 11 after a six-year battle with melanoma.

A former public school teacher from Bridgeport, she worked long and hard to give her children the gift of education she believed would launch them toward success in the world.

Called "Kate" by friends and family, Mrs. Lenihan was born and raised in Ridgewood, N.J. She graduated from Fairfield University in 1973, among the first women to graduate from the previously all-male school.

She taught at Maplewood School in Bridgeport.

She was known for being compassionate and strong, with a ready wit.

Most recently, Mrs. Lenihan resided in Kent. During parts of her life, she lived in Bridgeport, Westport and Stamford.

Over the course of her last year, she enjoyed spending good times with her sons, and especially her young grandson, Vincent, at the family home in Kent.

She provided joy and inspiration in the lives of her children and grandson, even as she battled stage four melanoma.

Mrs. Lenihan is survived by her eldest son, Vincent Roberti Jr., a facilities manager at High Watch Recovery Center in Kent, and his wife, Bronwyn; a grandson, Vincent III; her younger son, Daniel, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Connecticut's Fifth District, of Kent; and her former husband, Vincent A. Roberti Sr., of Kent; two brothers, Brian Lenihan, of Westport, and Daniel Lenihan, of Ridgewood, N.J.; four sisters, Patricia Folmar, of Winchester, Va.; Christine Lenihan, of Alexandria, Va.; Sheila Jordan, of Fairfax, Va.; and Maureen Lenihan, of Haymarket, Va.; an aunt, Prudence Oliva, of Toms River, N.J.; and 13 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Dr. Thomas F. X. Lenihan, a pediatrician, and her mother, Catherine Joan Lenihan, who resided in Ridgewood, N.J.

Burial was in Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood.

The Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home in Waterbury was in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 27106, New York NY 10087-7106.