Catherine Gagliotti, 79

Catherine Gagliotti was known as a dedicated teacher who was generous with her time, patient with students, and helpful to colleagues during the 37 years she taught at East Hampton High School. Mrs. Gagliotti died at home in East Hampton of complications of polycystic kidney disease on Jan. 5. She was 79 years old.

“She was one of the finest examples of a teacher who was really devoted to her students,” Rich Burns, the superintendent of the East Hampton School District and a friend of Mrs. Gagliotti’s for many years, said yesterday. “She just had a way of connecting to kids.”

Mrs. Gagliotti, who taught 11th grade English, was known to work beyond typical school hours, meeting with students for extra help when needed and often counseling and tutoring them on Saturdays. She gained respect for motivating students to reach their goals, and was named teacher of the year by the New York State Council of English Teachers in 2003.

She coordinated Syracuse University’s Project Advance program, offering college-level classes at the high school, and eventually became the chairwoman of the school’s English department. She was a member of committees on school improvement, accreditation, and scholarships, and led professional development sessions and workshops for her colleagues on educational trends and new state curriculum guidelines. She retired in 2003.

“She never shied away from any responsibility she ultimately knew would be better for the district and the kids,” Mr. Burns said.

Mrs. Gagliotti was born on July 27, 1936, in New York City, one of three daughters of Vincent Graziano and the former Filomena Trotta. She was raised in New York City and graduated from Flushing High School. She earned degrees from Oswego College and Long Island University.

 She came to East Hampton, where she married Carlo Gagliotti in the early 1960s. He was the owner and chef at the Spring Close House restaurant in East Hampton, and she was the hostess of the restaurant for many years. He died in 1994.

Mrs. Gagliotti was a member of the East Hampton Ladies Village Improvement Society and the East Hampton Retired Educators Association. She enjoyed traveling and hosting formal dinners and holiday parties, bringing together interesting groups of people for meaningful conversation.

She is survived two children, Carla Gonzalez and Jeffrey Gagliotti, both of East Hampton, a foster daughter, Mary Vorpahl of Amagansett, and several grandchildren. Two sisters, Margaret Mahoney and Marie Riesel, both of Greensboro, N.C., also survive.

A funeral was held for Mrs. Gagliotti on Jan. 8 at Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton. The Rev. Donald Hanson of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church officiated at a graveside service at the church cemetery, on Cedar Street, on Jan. 9. Mrs. Gagliotti was cremated, and a portion of her ashes will be scattered at the ocean in the summer.

Memorial donations in Mrs. Gagliotti’s honor have been suggested to the East Hampton Village Ambulance Association, 1 Cedar Street, East Hampton 11937.