Catherine A. Wells, 84, of Sheffield, died on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. She was born in Hillsdale, N.Y., on September 21, 1941, daughter of the late Shadic Haywood and Edith (Madison) Haywood.
Catherine, best known as Cathy or Cassie to those closest to her, was a stay-at-home wife and mother. She did have part-time jobs from time to time working as a nurse’s aide at both Great Barrington Health Care and Willowood Nursing Home, a sales associate at the Dress Barn, and a bus aide for Massini Bus Company.
Throughout her life, Catherine loved to share stories about her early years on the farm with anybody who was willing to listen. Those years were some of her most cherished memories. Beyond the farm, her family was always on her mind. Her daughters, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren were the light of her life. Three days before she died, the whole family was together celebrating her. She said that the loud and chaotic noises of the great-grandchildren and chatter of her daughters, granddaughters, and all of their spouses made her heart so full.
Catherine is survived by her sister Nancy Haywood of Lee; her daughters, Tina Gadway of Housatonic and Brenda (Peter) Dumont of Sheffield; her granddaughters, Crystal (Jeremy) Van Deusen of Sheffield, Nicole (Rick) Clemo of Housatonic, Amanda (Brian) Beckwith of Haines City, Fla., and Christina (BJ) Kahlstrom of Otis; and her great-grandchildren, Madison and Lucas Van Deusen, Aiden Burke, Sam and Emily Beckwith, and Makaila and JB Kahlstrom.
Catherine was predeceased by her husband Samuel Wells; her father Shadic Haywood; her mother Edith Haywood; her brother Clarence “Unk” Haywood; and two sisters, Helen Piser and Beatrice Bouchard.
The family will receive family and friends at Birches-Roy Funeral Home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230, on Saturday, January 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. A funeral service will be held immediately after the calling hours followed by a celebration of life at 4 p.m. at Bogies in Great Barrington. There will be a private burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Berkshire Humane Society or Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad through Birches-Roy Funeral Home. Condolences may be made through the funeral home’s website.
