Catherine Marie Hourican of Newtown passed away peacefully on Monday, August 13, 2018 at her home, surrounded by her loving children. Born on March 5th, 1937, in Queens, NY, Catherine was the daughter of the late Michael Hourican and Anne Sarah (Beirne) Hourican.

Catherine graduated from Bishop McDonnell High School in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from the University of Dallas with a degree in Theology.

Catherine was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and a very special woman who loved life and enjoyed it to its fullest, whether it was touring Europe as a young person, participating in prayer and other groups at her Church, supporting her children in their various activities, or spending time with her grandchildren. Catherine had a great and quiet inner strength and was imbued with an amazing spirit. She was always optimistic and supportive to all she encountered, despite many trying times in her life.

Catherine bravely fought the scourge of breast cancer. She celebrated her seven-year anniversary of being cancer free with a cruise to Alaska with some of her children and grandchildren. Sadly, the cancer returned. She enjoyed several additional years following that second round, but when it returned the third time, it came with a vengeance. Even then, she fought it tenaciously right up to the very end.

Catherine was also entirely devoted to her faith in Christ and her love of God. She was active in her faith which she practiced tirelessly, whether it was helping to lead the Saint John’s Prayer Group in Darien, CT, leading a life in the spirit seminar, spending a retreat at My Father’s house, or simply dragging her children off to Mass. She had a well-worn “prayer chair” with a dog-eared Bible sitting nearby. Friends of her children would comment that she was so easy to talk with her because they knew where she was coming from, but never felt preached to. Catherine will live forever in the hearts and minds of the many family and friends she leaves behind.

Catherine is survived by her four children and their spouses: William Carello, Peter Carello and his wife Michele, Chris Carello and his wife Christina, and Marianne Beirne. Catherine was an adoring grandmother to her five surviving grandchildren, William, Nanette, Patrick, Jack and Matthew. Catherine was a wonderful sister to her late brother John Hourican and his surviving wife Pat, and to her three surviving brothers, Michael Hourican, Thomas Hourican and his wife Kathy, and James Hourican and his wife Joan. Catherine (Aunt Kay) will also be missed by her godchildren, nieces and nephews, and her many wonderful friends whom she cherished so very much.

Friends and family may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown on Friday, August 17th between the hours of 5 PM and 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima’s Catholic Church, 46 Church Hill Rd., Newtown, CT on Saturday, August 18th at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow immediately at Saint Rose Cemetery in Newtown.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations: My Father’s House, a spiritual renewal and retreat center located in Moodus, CT, https://www.myfathershousect.org; or F.A.I.T.H. Food Pantry of Newtown, CT, http://www.newtownfoodpantry.org/donations.html


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