Storm

Mary Cathrine Conerty Storm, 94, of California went Monday to be with the Lord.

She was born in her family home on Aug. 23, 1918, and was the daughter of Henry Conerty and Bessie Forquer.

She was deeply religious and attended church at the St. Patrick’s old log church.

Mary Cathrine was educated in a one-room school house in Rattigan and later went to Butler High School, walking more than 10 miles daily to fulfill part of her educational goals.

She then was accepted to nursing school and became a registered nurse anesthetist, which made her a pioneer in her field. She was highly intelligent, and received the highest marks on the State of California anesthetist exam. She was chair of the Western States Association of Nurse Anesthetists and practiced nursing while settling in Orange County, Calif., with her family of four children, Sharon, Susan, Thomas and Mary Ellen. She was an outstanding nurse, mother, cook, baker and gardener.

She is survived by her children, Susan, Thomas and Mary Ellen; her youngest sister, Bernadette Conerty; sister-in-law, Jean Conerty; three grandchildren; one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.

This world is a better place because of Mary Cathrine and her charitable deeds she sowed throughout the earth. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” She is in heaven now with no pain, sickness or sorrow.

STORM — A service for Mary Cathrine Conerty Storm, who passed away Monday, April 29, 2013, will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with the Mass from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, 409 N. Main St., Chicora. Lunch will be served immediately following the service at noon.