Catherine (center) with Sisters-in-Law Pauline (left) and Anne (right)
Dear
Friends and Family,
There's
only one way to describe my Aunt Catherine - she was one Classy
Lady. She had a heart of gold and she had a love and devotion for
her husband
George that everyone admired. Catherine also shared her capacity
for love with her family members, the many in-laws, and numerous
friends. Above all, she had a special love for her nieces and
nephews. It seemed she had so many, I always wondered how she
kept track of them.
One of Catherine's other great loves was ballroom dancing. I clearly remember her dancing with Uncle George at many of the Clinton Chicago Club functions. She and George were so graceful - one could almost visualize them as "Fred and Ginger". Thank God for the Clinton Chicago Club, because I could always look forward to the monthly meetings when I would be able to see Uncle George and Aunt Catherine.
After my mother died in 1965, my father, brother, and I would make a yearly summer "trip" from Southwest Chicago to North Side Chicago for one of George's famous outdoor barbecue feasts. Of course, it was always BBQ Ribs - they were among the best I've ever had. I never could get ribs to taste quite as good from my own BBQ grill. On one such summer occasion, we all sat in the basement, excitedly watching the television as Neil Armstrong took "one small step for a man" onto the Moon. I took black and white pictures of the event off of the TV screen. It was a great day for each of us and for our country. Every time we saw each other in the future, we recalled the great excitement of that day. It became a vivid "memory for a lifetime" for each of us.
We also enjoyed visiting Catherine and George during the Christmas season. During my teenage and young adult days, their neighborhood street was "famous" throughout the Chicago area for the giant candy canes and elaborate light displays that each resident displayed in their front yards. It was always a privilege to visit their home and take a stroll down their street to take in the sights and sounds along "Candy Cane Lane". Christmas with Catherine and George was always very festive, happy and carefree. As years passed, fewer and fewer residents participated in the candy cane tradition and the Christmas season has not been quite the same since then. However, I will always have the good memories of Christmas time with Uncle George and Aunt Catherine.
There are many things in my life for which I feel that I am especially blessed. Catherine was one of those people who qualified as a special blessing. I am especially grateful for the many conversations we had, both personal and by phone, about how to survive life after the loss of a spouse. She taught me a great deal about life and I still use her wise suggestions to get through each day.
In closing at this sad time, it is my belief that Catherine lived a good, productive, and love filled life and I am confident that she is now at peace with our Heavenly Father. I can only hope that she is also in the company of all our loved ones that have passed on from this good earth before us. Let us all remember Catherine for her beauty, love, dignity, and devotion to family and friends. The world has lost a truly wonderful person.
Aunt Catherine, I will miss you dearly. You were a shining "Light of Life" in our family.
Your Nephew,
Michael R. Yelich
One of Catherine's other great loves was ballroom dancing. I clearly remember her dancing with Uncle George at many of the Clinton Chicago Club functions. She and George were so graceful - one could almost visualize them as "Fred and Ginger". Thank God for the Clinton Chicago Club, because I could always look forward to the monthly meetings when I would be able to see Uncle George and Aunt Catherine.
After my mother died in 1965, my father, brother, and I would make a yearly summer "trip" from Southwest Chicago to North Side Chicago for one of George's famous outdoor barbecue feasts. Of course, it was always BBQ Ribs - they were among the best I've ever had. I never could get ribs to taste quite as good from my own BBQ grill. On one such summer occasion, we all sat in the basement, excitedly watching the television as Neil Armstrong took "one small step for a man" onto the Moon. I took black and white pictures of the event off of the TV screen. It was a great day for each of us and for our country. Every time we saw each other in the future, we recalled the great excitement of that day. It became a vivid "memory for a lifetime" for each of us.
We also enjoyed visiting Catherine and George during the Christmas season. During my teenage and young adult days, their neighborhood street was "famous" throughout the Chicago area for the giant candy canes and elaborate light displays that each resident displayed in their front yards. It was always a privilege to visit their home and take a stroll down their street to take in the sights and sounds along "Candy Cane Lane". Christmas with Catherine and George was always very festive, happy and carefree. As years passed, fewer and fewer residents participated in the candy cane tradition and the Christmas season has not been quite the same since then. However, I will always have the good memories of Christmas time with Uncle George and Aunt Catherine.
There are many things in my life for which I feel that I am especially blessed. Catherine was one of those people who qualified as a special blessing. I am especially grateful for the many conversations we had, both personal and by phone, about how to survive life after the loss of a spouse. She taught me a great deal about life and I still use her wise suggestions to get through each day.
In closing at this sad time, it is my belief that Catherine lived a good, productive, and love filled life and I am confident that she is now at peace with our Heavenly Father. I can only hope that she is also in the company of all our loved ones that have passed on from this good earth before us. Let us all remember Catherine for her beauty, love, dignity, and devotion to family and friends. The world has lost a truly wonderful person.
Aunt Catherine, I will miss you dearly. You were a shining "Light of Life" in our family.
Your Nephew,
Michael R. Yelich
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