Catherine Mary Witherspoon

Catherine Mary Leavy Witherspoon, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2010, at the age of 94. She was born in Freeport, Illinois on November 20, 1915, the daughter of Cuthbert Joseph Leavy, M.D., and Bessie Best Leavy. She was educated in Freeport public schools, and in 1937 she received her A.B. degree from the University of Chicago. She taught at the State Training School for Girls in Geneva, Illinois.

She married Joseph Parker Witherspoon in 1937. Joseph was away for three years in the Navy during World War II. During this time Catherine lived in Freeport, took care of their two children, and did substitute teaching. She and Joseph moved to Austin in late 1945.

Catherine is survived by her sons, Joseph, John, Thomas, and James; daughters in law, Ann and Pat; grandchildren, Tim, Kelly (& Bob), Adam (& Jessica), Alethea (& Dennis), Terry (& Jenniffer), and Andy (& Nikki); and seven great-grandchildren, Ryan, Kathryn, Avery, Mackenzie, William, Savannah, and Sovay. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, her sister, Susanna, her daughter, Victoria, and her grandson, Charles.

Catherine was active in the Catholic Church, and was a Lady Commander in the Papal Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. She was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Austin Colony Chapter, the Daughters of the American Colonists, Treaty Oak Chapter, the Kwill Klub of Austin, the Phi Sigma Alpha sorority, and the Catholic Women's Study Group.

The family gives special thanks to Elvira Trevino, the late Katharine Williams, and “fifth brother” Bill Rose for their care and support. We are deeply grateful for the kind care given to her by staff at Westminster Health Care Center, especially those who worked with Mom most closely. When we could no longer meet Mom’s needs by ourselves, it was a great comfort to know that Mom was in such good hands.

We also thank the Priests who visited Mom, and the lay ministers of Holy Communion from St. Austin Catholic Church who provided spiritual support; and all those who kept Mom in their prayers.

Mother Teresa said: “we can do no great things; only small things with great love.” Mom spent a lifetime doing small things with love; for this she was deeply loved in return. We are grateful to the caregivers who did small things with love for Mom.

Rosary will be held Thursday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m., at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar. Visitation will be at Weed-Corley-Fish on Friday, September 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon on Saturday, September 18, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive, followed by burial at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caritas of Austin, 611 Neches Street Austin 78701, or another worthy charity.