Gerlinde V. Hockla

Gerlinde V. Hockla, 73, of Ashford, wife of William Hockla, died Monday, December 29, 2008 at their home. She was born June 2, 1935 in Mannheim, Germany, the daughter of Phillip and Gertrude (Dumbeck) Tonn and had lived in Ashford since 1955. She was a professional dog handler and had shown dogs all over America and Europe. Gerlinde was the handler of the first Newfoundland to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Show in Madison Square Garden. She was a member of the Professional Handlers Association and held memberships in the Newfoundland Club of America, the Newfoundland Club of New England, the German Shepherd Club of America, was a charter member of the German Shepherd Club of Eastern Connecticut, and a member of the German Shepherd Club of Germany for over 30 years and a charter member of the Nathan Hale Obedience Club. She and her husband were also breeders of German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. In addition to her husband she is survived by a sister, Edeltraud Laurin of Ashford, two nieces and a nephew, Janina Laurin and her husband George Snyder of Danbury, Darlene Laurin of Waterford and Theodore Laurin of Williamsport, PA. Her family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Rte. 195, Willimantic, on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church, Warrenville Rd. Ashford. Burial will follow in the Woodward Cemetery, Ashford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour St., Hartford, CT 06102. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for directions and online memorial guestbook.