Catharine Weimer

Catharine L. “Kay” Weimer, age 75 of Niles, Michigan, died with her family gathered around her on Thursday morning, October 22, 2015, at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow in Niles following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

She was born on July 21, 1940, in Niles to Donald and Catherine “Kate” (Germinder) McDonald. She graduated from Niles High School, earned an Associate’s degree from Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, VA, a Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, and a Master’s degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, where she had also pursued a Doctoral degree. She taught computer programing for twenty-five years at Southwestern Michigan College, where she was also Chair of the School of Business. Prior to working at SMC, she worked at Clark Equipment Company and Blue Ridge Community College.

Kay was an active, life-long member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles and was also an active parishioner while attending Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Harrisonburg, VA. She assisted with CCD and RCIA, served as a Eucharistic Minister, provided food items for numerous bake sales and funeral dinners, and assisted with a variety of other church activities.

In the community, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels, served as a Girl Scout Leader in Bridgewater, VA, and was on the Board of the Girl Scouts of Singing Sands. Kay was also an active Niles Band Booster, and ran a personal taxi service to take her girls and their friends to and from various lessons and after-school activities. She enjoyed various handicrafts (including sewing and cross-stitching), canning, and preparing Sunday dinners for her family. She also enjoyed reading – usually mysteries – but her greatest joy was her family.

Kay was more than just a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a strong, selfless, intelligent, innovative, and compassionate woman, who was a 2nd mom to those who needed extra comfort and guidance.

On September 23, 1961, at Saint Mary Catholic Church she married John D. Weimer with whom she celebrated their fifty-fourth anniversary last month.

Surviving family includes her husband, John Weimer; their daughters, Sheila (& Brien) Jenkins of Saint Joseph, MI, and Karen Weimer and Maureen (& Mark) Hogue, both of Niles; grandchildren Kristin Hogue, Shannon Jenkins, and Dustin Jenkins; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by sisters Julia “Julie” (McDonald) LaMonica who died in 2010 and Joan McDonald who died in infancy.

The family would like to thank the staff at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow in Niles for their excellent care of Kay while she resided there for almost 2 ½ years. It was a blessing for them to know that their wife and mother was being cared for in a safe, loving environment.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Kay Weimer will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at Saint Mary Catholic Church by the Rev. Alphonse Savarimuthu, MSFS of the parish. Committal Rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, October 30, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Kay may be made to the Christian Service Center at Saint Mary Catholic Church, Hospice at Home, Niles Band Boosters, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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