Catherine E. Walker, 99, of Bloomington, died in Richland-Bean Blossom Health Care Center on October 13, 2015, just 8 days before her 100 birthday. She was the daughter of Edward L. and Lenora Vernia Jones, born on October 21, 1915 in Bedford, IN. Catherine’s mother died when she was 5 months old. Catherine attended St. Vincent de Paul Church and Elementary School in Bedford. She graduated from Bedford High School in 1933. After graduation, she worked for Dr. Newland and the Department of Public Welfare in Bedford.
In 1936 she met Joseph A. Walker of Bloomington at Long’s Dance Hall in Bedford. They dated several years, traveling between Bloomington and Bedford which was a hardship at times. They married on January 28, 1939 and lived in Bloomington. Catherine became a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and was a parishioner for 76 years.
Catherine had never dreamed of traveling to Rome and meeting the Pope Monsignor Fred Easton, a St. Charles kid, was studying in Rome and he wanted his mother, Elizabeth Easton to come visit him. Catherine and Elizabeth were good friends, so Catherine was invited on the journey too. Monsignor Easton showed them all the sites of Rome from St. Peter’s Square to the Trevi Fountain to Tivoli Gardens. There was an audience with Pope John Paul II with only 100 guests and Monsignor Easton, Elizabeth and Catherine were invited. Catherine shook the Pope’s hand and realized being Catholic was a powerful religious experience.
Catherine was involved with many activities in the community throughout her life which include: the Daughters of Isabella, Bloomington Hospital Pink Lady, Meals on Wheels, Delta Theta Tau, St. Charles Retirees, Sacristan, Greeter, Bible study, took communion to those in the nursing home every Sunday, gave people rides to church even after she moved to Bell Trace, talked with the children in grade school about the “olden days”, a member of the Parish Council, Girl Scout Leader and a member of the PTA.
Catherine and Joe had four children who all survive: Martha(Slick)Cunningham, Catherine(Charles)Headdy, Joseph(Mary)Walker, and Janet(Lester)Wadzinski. All of Catherine and Joe’s children graduated from St. Charles School. Religion and attending mass was very important in the lives of the family. Catherine was proud of being Catholic and set a good example for her children.
Catherine is also survived by 18 grandchildren: Susan Skirvin(Jeff)Frederick, Theodore “Tat” A.(Liz)Skirvin II, Michael P. Skirvin, Andrew C. Skirvin, Benjamin A. Skirvin, Charles Kip(Cindy)Headdy, Sheri(Harley Howe)Headdy, Kim Headdy(Chris)Moriarty, Andrew J.(Natalie)Walker, Stephanie Walker(David)Keenan, Jennifer Walker(Lee)Fields, Dr. Joseph A.(Susie)Walker III, Alan W. Wadzinski, Anne Wadzinski(Joe)Hoke, Ned(Teresa)Cunningham, Claire Cunningham(Jim)Schaffer, Jean(Alan Riggs)Cunningham, and John(Ashley)Cunningham, 22 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson and brother-in-law C. Robert(Bev)Walker.
She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph A. Walker, two sisters: Virginia Abel and Margaret Coleman and her brother Lawrence Jones.
A visitation for family and friends will be held in Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47401 on October 18, 2015 from 2-8 p.m. with rosary by members of the Daughters of Isabella at 4:00 p.m. Monsignor Easton will preside for A Mass of Christian Burial that will be held on October 19, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2222 E. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47401. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Bloomington.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com
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