Catherine D. Barberi

Catherine Kay Dorothy was born to Thomas F. and Catherine D. (Fitzgibbons) Sheedy on September 21, 1919 in Lowell, Massachusetts. She and her siblingsDaniel, Margaret, Mary and Franceswere the children of Irish parents who immigrated to the United States to make a new life. Their father worked as an overseer in the textile mills in Lowell and later in the tanneries in Maine, while their mother looked after an active household and kept the children busy with chores that included vegetable gardening. Living in the upstairs of a duplex on Bowden Street, Catherine and her two best friends, Ann Coleman and Harriet Burns, often sat on the front porch steps sewing doll clothes by hand, with Kay making clothes for the boy dolls. The girls also enjoyed playing baseball in the street, ice skating at the river near the railroad tracks, attending dances, walking downtown to shop and going swimming at the beach. Catherine attended Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, walking the two miles from her home four times a day. Upon graduating from Lowell High School in 1937, she attended Saint Johns School of Nursing for three years and graduated in 1940. She and her childhood and lifelong friend, Ann, took jobs in Miami, Florida from 1942 until March 1944, when Kay enlisted in United States Navy. She trained in Norfolk, Virginia and then served as a 2nd Lieutenant Nurse in the Naval Nurse Corps, becoming ward supervisor for 27 months at the Newport Naval hospital and at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. As fate would have it, and with a little nudging by her supervising nurse, Kay met the young man she eventually married. Carlo Barberi was an officer in the Navy and had worked in the Naval Gym before being sent on active duty to Guam. Upon his return from the Pacific, Carlo was given the choice of working in Norfolk or Quonset Point, and he chose Quonset Point. That decision made all the difference, because once he met Catherine on a blind date, he fell in love and so did she. They married back in her hometown of Lowell at Sacred Heart Church on June 18, 1946. By then the war was over and they were ready to begin life together as husband and wife. In time, they became the proud parents of three children: Joseph T. Carl and Mariann. Even with a family, Catherine worked as hard and as cheerfully as ever. She took pride in her household responsibilities as well as her nursing duties and was always whistling or singing as she worked. That same attitude served her well when Carlo was often away with administrative and community volunteer activities. She was especially patient with son Carl, who played guitar in a band and held practices in her basement. Catherine didnt seem to mind all the noise and even joined in the laughter and dance as she listened to them and made Carls three friends feel like they were part of the family. Catherine had always loved music and poetry. She played the piano, sang and danced. She was most happy waltzing with Carlo. The two of them had the once-in-a-lifetime pleasure of dancing at a Lawrence Welk show when he performed live in Saginaw, Michigan. What a thrill to meet the man she watched every Saturday night on TV. Kay worked part time as a registered nurse at the Medical Care Facility for approximately 20 years. She was committed to her staff and compassionate toward her patients. Continually reading nursing magazines, she kept herself updated on methods of treatment and prescription drugs. Her tireless care, as well as her smile, laughter and the twinkle in her eye always uplifted patients, and she often went beyond the call of duty. Many times, she volunteered to spend nights at the hospital, caring for friends as their private nurse. She offered such unsolicited kindness at no charge and with the selflessness that was characteristic of her person and profession. It gave patients and their families peace of mind knowing that Catherine was looking out for them. Catherines generosity extended to volunteer activities in the community. She collected donations for the March of Dimes and helped with the Red Cross during blood drives. She sold tickets for the High Fever Folliesperformed at Warner Auditorium by local talent and followed by a Hospital Ballto raise money for the Central Michigan Community Hospital in Mt. Pleasant. Personally, she sent money to various community and church charities and delighted in giving gifts to others, whether to family members or her hair stylist. It was Catherines nature to lavish others with love and care. One of her most beloved recipients was Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was very involved in Catholic Daughters, serving in various leadership roles, hosting meetings and funeral dinners and laundering the altar linens. She baked pies, cakes, cookies for the holidays and meals for neighbors and close friends when they were ill. Always thoughtful, she sent cards to encourage others whether the occasion was happy or sad. It was important to Kay that her friends and family know how much she loved and appreciated them. As a career woman and invested parent, Kay wanted her children to succeed academically; and they did, securing careers in law and education. She passed on that positive support to her grandchildren by being actively involved in their school functions and extracurricular activities. She remembered their birthdays with gifts and cards as well as their graduations from high school and college. When she regularly asked, How are the kids doing? she really wanted to know, or when she called something Perfect, everyone felt encouraged. Throughout her life, Catherine stayed in close contact with her family, especially her sisters, and made the effort to get everyone together. Each July, she and Margaret, Mary and Frances rented a beach house at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, and all of their children and families joined them. Carlo called the sisters The Committee because they planned joint activities that the entire family could enjoy. Catherine loved every minute of it because, not only was she with her wonderful family, she could indulge favorite activities that brought back memories of childhood: walking along the beach collecting shells and rocks, riding along the coast to Nubble Lighthouse and eating at the restaurant, or buying taffy at a candy shop. Being an outgoing person, Kay also spent time with friends, playing Bridge and awarding small prizes or going shopping and keeping up with the fashions. With her skills in craftwork, sewing and gardening, she decorated her home, created centerpieces, tended her flowers and houseplants and collected porcelain figurines, candlesticks, candles and plates. Her activities seemed to fit her style: colorful design to match her signature silk print scarves. Kay always had smile on her face and a song in her heart, which enabled her to pass on her joy to the family she loved and those she served as a nurse or a volunteer. Her faith in God motivated her to be compassionate to people who didnt have the same riches of family, health and career as she did. She regularly lit candles at church and placed her friends, family and relatives in the prayer book at Sacred Heart. Every night, Kay knelt beside her bed and prayed for others. Her favorite prayer was the Our Father, and it will be prayed for Catherine, who passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at Maplewood Assisted Living. Catherine D. Barberi, 93, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan is reunited her with her husband, Carlo, on the 67th anniversary of their wedding. A Funeral Mass for Kay will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 24, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski presiding. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends at Lux Family Life Story Funeral Home on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Monday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carlo Barberi Memorial Scholarship Fund, to Woodland Hospice or Sacred Heart Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Kays three children survive her: Joseph (Barb) Barberi of Mt. Pleasant, Carl (Alison) Barberi of Greenville, and Mariann (Stanley) Gonsior of Midland; eight grandchildren, Joncarlo, Daniel (Ashley), David (Taren), Andria (D.J.), Joel (Nicole), Jeremy (Susan), Rachael (Tyler), and Stephen; and one great-grandson, Rowan and a great grandchild on the way. Kay is also survived by her 90 year old sister, Frances Sullivan of Lowell, MA. and other dear relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carlo in 1990; two sisters, Margaret Peggy Sheedy and Mary Richards; and a brother, Daniel Sheedy. To view Catherines full Life Story or to leave a message for her family, please visit www.luxfamilyfuneralhome.com