Kathy Rose Yalof

Kathy Rose (Vars) Yalof, age 61, of Cheshire, CT passed away March 14, 2021 in Yale New Haven Hospital after a four-year battle with cancer. Kathy was born in Bridgeport, CT and was a longtime area resident, spending most of her childhood in Easton, CT. She met her husband, Clay, and they moved to Cheshire, CT to raise their two daughters, Samantha and Ashley. Kathy spent 30 years working at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), most recently in the Provost’s office where she assisted with budgeting, coordinating the annual Honors Convocation, and actively serving on search committees for new hires. She retired in 2020. While working full-time, she earned her BA in 2004 and then went on to earn her MBA in 2009, both from SCSU.

Kathy was active in her community – she was a member of the Joel Barlow High School Reunion Committee, the Pink Pedals team for the Closer to Free Bike Ride, Unity Hill United Church of Christ, and Copper Valley Club. Her ability to make someone feel welcomed was unmatched with a smile that could light up a room. She wanted to be remembered as sweet & kind and there are no two better words to describe Kathy – she will be missed by so many.

She was predeceased by her father Roger Vars. Survivors include her beloved husband for 38 years, Clay; two loving daughters, Samantha and Ashley; her mother, Rose (Kucsera) Vars; her brother, David Vars and his wife, Radhi; her sister, Sherri Miller and her husband, Alan; and six nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Curran, Brett, Rowan, Michele, and Eric. Funeral services will be private.

Arrangements in care of the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd. Trumbull, CT.  Memorial contributions may be made to team “Pink Pedals for Kathy” for the Closer To Free Ride (https://www.rideclosertofree.org/team/6231) which supports research and patient care at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center.  

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