Obituary of Catherine Casey Van Donsel

Catherine Casey Van Donsel, 88, of the Elizabeth Brewster House, Homer NY; passed away November 27, 2010 at the Cortland Regional Medical Center. She was born January 22, 1922 in Messengerville, NY; daughter of the late Frank and Clara Quinlivan Casey. Mrs. Van Donsel was a lifelong resident of Cortland County. She graduated from Marathon High School in 1938. Over the years, she had been employed by Dr. Shay, New York Telephone, Montgomery Ward, and with SUNY Cortland. Mrs. Van Donsel was a communicant of St. Margarets Church where she volunteered for various church functions. While attending St. Marys Church she served as Regent of the Catholic Daughters. She also served as a State Committee person for the Democratic Party, and with the St. Marys School Parents Guild. She is survived by her daughters Janet (Robert) McGuigan of Madison, Al.; Rita (joseph) Armideo of Homer, NY; her son Richard (Mary Leonard) Van Donsel of Cortland, her sisters Eileen Durand of Chambersburg, Pa; Sally Walpole of Groton, NY; grandchildren Rebecca and Rose McGuigan, John, Dante, Paul, and Nina Armideo, several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Van Donsel was predeceased by her husband Neil Van Donsel in 1977 and seven siblings Robert Casey, Edward Casey, Margaret Hatch, Francis Patrick Casey, Mary McCallen, Clara Jane Casey, and James Casey. Calling hours will be Monday evening 5-8 pm at Wright-Beard funeral Home Inc., 9 Lincoln Ave Cortland NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am Tuesday at St. Margarets Church, Homer, NY; with a prayer service 10:15 am prior to mass at Wright-Beard Funeral Home. Burial will follow mass at St. Marys Cemetery, Cortland, NY. To offer condolences online, visit www.wright-beard.com Rita, Janet, Rick and families: I loved aunt Katie very much. She was full of life and always had a great smile. I will never forget out trip to Ireland and how much fun we had. I am so sorry for all of you and wish you my best. Kathleen Fitzgerald Janet, Rob, Becky and Rosie, the whole Dull family is thinking of you and sending our love and prayers. Love, Andrea PS All is well at home and we look forward to your safe return. Andrea Dull Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on the passing of Katie. We are deeply saddened by your loss. We will cherish the memories of the times we spent together. We are with you during this time of grief. We will miss her, she was an amazing woman and our thoughts, paryers and love are with you and your family. Sincerely, Mary Jane McGuigan, Susan, Brent, Jennifer and William Mercer, and Lynn, Greg and John Perfetti Although we are unable to there today to lay Aunt Katie to rest, we are there in spirit. Her kindness and humor touched us deeply and we will miss her very much. We hope to carry on her memory by being as kind and gracious to others as she was to everyone she crossed pathes with. Our deepest condolences, The Crowley Family Pat, BriAnne and Liam