NORWICH – Catherine (McInerney) Rowe, 90, of Waite St., Norwich, passed away Saturday evening, Feb. 23, 2008 at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Norwich in April of 1917, Catherine was the daughter of Martin and Lena Griffin McInerney. Educated in the Norwich schools, she was a graduate of Norwich High School’s Class of 1936. On June 1, 1946, she married Richard Rowe, who expired July 24, 1984. Catherine worked for a number of years in the office of Norwich Mills, retiring in 1948 to raise her family. She returned to work in 1967 as a receptionist and medical secretary at the Valley View Manor Nursing Home, retiring in 1983. A devout member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, she was a member of the Rosary and Altar Society, Ladies of Charity. Catherine took pride in her home and family, enjoyed reading, walking, and doing volunteer work where able. A life-long New York Yankee fan, she particularly enjoyed listening to the “Scooter” Phil Rizutto call the game. She enjoyed a long, well-lived life, was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother with a kind and tender heart who will be deeply missed.
Catherine is survived by two sons and their wives, Thomas and Lora of Norwich and William and Susan of Raleigh, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Doris McInerney of Boynton Beach, Fla.; a brother-in-law, Charles Rowe and wife Betty of Syracuse; and two grandsons, William and Henry of Raleigh, N.C. She is also survived by nephews: Kevin McInerney and wife Vicki of Riceville, Tenn., Vincent McInerney and wife Kim of Norwich, and C. Daniel Rowe of Tamworth, N.H.; by nieces: Betsy Rowe Manning and husband Jack of Albany, and Kathleen Rood and husband Dennis of Syracuse; and cousins: Thelma Tucker of Syracuse, James Griffin of California, Betty Griffin of Phoenix, Ariz., George Byrne of Norwich, Vera Hennessy of Enis County Clare, Ireland, and Bridget Faulkner of County Tipperary, Ireland. In addition to her husband Dick, she was predeceased by her brothers, Bernard, Francis, and Vincent McInerney.
A Mass of Resurrection for Catherine will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday from St. Paul’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Douglas Cunningham, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery in the spring. Friends were invited to call at the Marian Chapel at St. Paul’s Church on Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m.
Contributions in memory of Catherine may be sent to the Memorial Fund of St. Paul’s Church, 30 Pleasant St., Norwich, NY 13815.