Catherine Coulacos Prato

WEST BOYLSTON-Catherine Coulacos Prato of West Boylston died Thursday, August 4 due to complications from ALS.

A world class talker and only child, she became a writer because “writing is a way of talking without being interrupted.” She was proud of making a living as a writer in various forms, including daily journalism, blogging, and feature writing, for most of her life. She also took pride in her children; her long and happy marriage; and her baking, particularly baklava.

Born in Pontiac, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late William V.  And Mary (Garyet) Coulacos.  The  family moved to Toledo, Ohio, in 1968. There she attended Maumee Valley Country Day School, graduating in 1975. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre from Wittenberg University in 1979, followed by a Master of Science in Mass Communications from Boston University in 1981. She also studied for a semester at the University of Exeter, England.

She enjoyed the English countryside, home décor, entertaining her friends, searching for vintage textiles, collaging, painting, finding just the right gift for someone, celebrating her Greek heritage, and rooting for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Tom Brady. She never understood the infield fly rule.

Her family would like to thank the team at Beacon Hospice for their care and devotion to Cate and our family. Cate would also like to thank her personal care assistant, Caitlin, for her commitment to Cate’s needs, care, and comfort. She is survived by her husband, Nicholas Prato (West Boylston); her children, Oliver Prato (Holyoke) and Meredith Prato (Manchester, N.H.), as well as an uncle, several aunties, cousins, many brothers-and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many close friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to ccals.org or the Mary Beth Benison Foundation.