Priscilla “Pixie” Hoey, 77, of Vero Beach, passed away on Nov. 27, 2015.
She is survived by her partner Jim; her children Peter Cattaneo of Pennsylvania, Matthew Cattaneo of Guilford, Conn., John Cattaneo of Washington D.C., and Elena Cattaneo of Eureka, Calif.; her stepchildren, Matthew Hoey of Guilford, Conn., William Hoey of Northford, Conn., Joseph Hoey of Madison, Wis., David Hoey of Old Saybrook, Conn., and Daniel Hoey of Stratford, Conn.; her sister Jane Pierson of New Hampshire, and by many beloved grandchildren. She will also be dearly missed by her partner’s children, Sean Donkin, Scott Donkin, and Leslie Bubello.
She was preceded in death by a son, Andrew Cattaneo.
Hoey was born in 1938 in East Haven, Conn., to Benjamin and Gladys Church. The second of two daughters, she spent her youth living in several Connecticut towns, sailing with her family nearly every weekend. She made friends easily as her gregarious nature shone through, a trait that would serve her well throughout a lifetime of new homes and relocations.
In 1962, she married David Cattaneo. The couple raised five children, residing first in New Haven, then moving between Connecticut, New York, and London, England. She had previously worked for the Southern Connecticut Telephone Company, and took on the job of wife and mom while still finding time to figure skate, make art, collect antiques, and travel the world.
In 1979, she returned to Connecticut, settling in Guilford where she established herself as a realtor, decorator, and painter. It was during these years that she chose a path of sobriety that would carry her, one day at a time, through the rest of her life, an achievement of which she was deservedly proud.
In 1984 she married Matthew Hoey, Jr., the father of five sons, and together they built a large, loving extended family. The two were active in the parish of St. George’s church and in the lives of their children and grandchildren. Cancer claimed Matthew Hoey’s life in 1999.
In the new millennium, Hoey headed south, first to South Carolina, then eventually settling in Florida, where she could escape New England winters while remaining close to her beloved coastline. There, she made a life with partner James Donkin, who brought her great joy as well as more extended family.
Together the two of them enjoyed traveling, entertaining friends and family, and boating on the Intercoastal Waterway. Never satisfied with leaving well enough alone, Hoey spent her last years rekindling her decorating career, lending her distinctive style to homes and offices along the Treasure Coast.
Hoey will be remembered for her glowing smile, loquacious personality, and bold sense of style. Her tenacious ability to get things done was matched only by the grace with which she handled life’s numerous twists and turns. Both will continue to inspire all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held Dec. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Vero Beach Yacht Club, 3601 Rio Vista Boulevard, Vero Beach. A memorial will take place in Connecticut early in the new year.
The family would like to thank the skilled and dedicated staff of VNA Hospice House for their excellent care in Pixie’s final days. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Treasure Coast Ovarian Cancer Alliance at 412 Temple Court SW, Vero Beach, FL 32968 (772) 562-5373.
