Catherine Girling

Obituary of Catherine T Girling

Catherine T. Girling, cherished wife, mother, Mema to her grandchildren, sister, aunt, and friend to so many, departed this earth on Friday, February 7, 2014, with her loving family at her side. Born on August 22, 1926, to Thomas and Agnes Fay, Catherine was one of ten children. She attended St. Peter's elementary school and Haverstraw High School. She was employed by Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, N.Y for several years before working in the office of her late husband, Dr. George W. Girling, whom she married in 1950. Catherine was an accomplished and gifted singer who recorded several big band era albums. She especially enjoyed all things Irish - from Irish Music to a clever Irish joke - and was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Ireland in the 1990s as she and her daughter Jane toured and sang their way through the country of her ancestors. While she had an opportunity to pursue a singing career, Catherine chose to embrace her true calling - that of wife, mother to her eight children, and Mema to her sixteen grandchildren. All who knew Catherine were touched by her warmth, sense of humor, commitment to family, and unconditional love of others. She selflessly devoted herself to her family and friends, and that selflessness continued even as her time drew near. She wanted to make sure that those closest to her seek comfort in the knowledge that "the ones that love us NEVER really leave us because you can always find them in your heart." Catherine is survived by her eight children, Mary Catherine Allison, Patricia Donleavy (Tom), and Nancy, Wes (Michele), Jane, Eileen, Martin (Sue), Michael (Nancy) Girling, as well as her 16 beloved grandchildren, Brendan (Dana), Sean, and Mary Christine Donleavy; Michael, William (Kim), and Ryan Allison; Alex Craven; Laura Fitzpatrick (Mike); Kathleen, Erin, Michael, Martin, Max, Sara, Wesley (Kathy) and Eileen Girling. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and dear friends. Catherine was predeceased by her husband Dr. George W. Girling, her son John, her siblings, and her son-in-law William Allison. The family will receive visitors at TJ McGowan and Son Funeral Home, 133 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Monday Feb.10th from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 115 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Tues Feb. 11th at 10 AM with Internment to follow in St. Peters Cemetery. The family would like to acknowledge the dedication and service of the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps; the compassion, kindness, and comfort provided by United Hospice of Rockland; and the spiritual guidance and support that Rev. Thomas F. Madden, pastor, St. Peter's Church provided to Catherine and family for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter's Church, United Hospice of Rockland, or the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps in her memory. Catherine T. Girling, cherished wife, mother, Mema to her grandchildren, sister, aunt, and friend to so many, departed this earth on Friday, February 7, 2014, with her loving family at her side. Born on August 22, 1926, to Thomas and Agnes Fay, Catherine was one of ten children. She attended St. Peter's elementary school and Haverstraw High School. She was employed by Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, N.Y for several years before working in the office of her late husband, Dr. George W. Girling, whom she married in 1950. Catherine was an accomplished and gifted singer who recorded several big band era albums. She especially enjoyed all things Irish - from Irish Music to a clever Irish joke - and was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Ireland in the 1990s as she and her daughter Jane toured and sang their way through the country of her ancestors. While she had an opportunity to pursue a singing career, Catherine chose to embrace her true calling - that of wife, mother to her eight children, and Mema to her sixteen grandchildren. All who knew Catherine were touched by her warmth, sense of humor, commitment to family, and unconditional love of others. She selflessly devoted herself to her family and friends, and that selflessness continued even as her time drew near. She wanted to make sure that those closest to her seek comfort in the knowledge that "the ones that love us NEVER really leave us because you can always find them in your heart." Catherine is survived by her eight children, Mary Catherine Allison, Patricia Donleavy (Tom), and Nancy, Wes (Michele), Jane, Eileen, Martin (Sue), Michael (Nancy) Girling, as well as her 16 beloved grandchildren, Brendan (Dana), Sean, and Mary Christine Donleavy; Michael, William (Kim), and Ryan Allison; Alex Craven; Laura Fitzpatrick (Mike); Kathleen, Erin, Michael, Martin, Max, Sara, Wesley (Kathy) and Eileen Girling. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and dear friends. Catherine was predeceased by her husband Dr. George W. Girling, her son John, her siblings, and her son-in-law William Allison. The family will receive visitors at TJ McGowan and Son Funeral Home, 133 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Monday Feb.10th from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 115 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Tues Feb. 11th at 10 AM with Internment to follow in St. Peters Cemetery. The family would like to acknowledge the dedication and service of the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps; the compassion, kindness, and comfort provided by United Hospice of Rockland; and the spiritual guidance and support that Rev. Thomas F. Madden, pastor, St. Peter's Church provided to Catherine and family for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter's Church, United Hospice of Rockland, or the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps in her memory. Catherine T. Girling, cherished wife, mother, Mema to her grandchildren, sister, aunt, and friend to so many, departed this earth on Friday, February 7, 2014, with her loving family at her side. Born on August 22, 1926, to Thomas and Agnes Fay, Catherine was one of ten children. She attended St. Peter's elementary school and Haverstraw High School. She was employed by Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, N.Y for several years before working in the office of her late husband, Dr. George W. Girling, whom she married in 1950. Catherine was an accomplished and gifted singer who recorded several big band era albums. She especially enjoyed all things Irish - from Irish Music to a clever Irish joke - and was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Ireland in the 1990s as she and her daughter Jane toured and sang their way through the country of her ancestors. While she had an opportunity to pursue a singing career, Catherine chose to embrace her true calling - that of wife, mother to her eight children, and Mema to her sixteen grandchildren. All who knew Catherine were touched by her warmth, sense of humor, commitment to family, and unconditional love of others. She selflessly devoted herself to her family and friends, and that selflessness continued even as her time drew near. She wanted to make sure that those closest to her seek comfort in the knowledge that "the ones that love us NEVER really leave us because you can always find them in your heart." Catherine is survived by her eight children, Mary Catherine Allison, Patricia Donleavy (Tom), and Nancy, Wes (Michele), Jane, Eileen, Martin (Sue), Michael (Nancy) Girling, as well as her 16 beloved grandchildren, Brendan (Dana), Sean, and Mary Christine Donleavy; Michael, William (Kim), and Ryan Allison; Alex Craven; Laura Fitzpatrick (Mike); Kathleen, Erin, Michael, Martin, Max, Sara, Wesley (Kathy) and Eileen Girling. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and dear friends. Catherine was predeceased by her husband Dr. George W. Girling, her son John, her siblings, and her son-in-law William Allison. The family will receive visitors at TJ McGowan and Son Funeral Home, 133 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Monday Feb.10th from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 115 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Tues Feb. 11th at 10 AM with Internment to follow in St. Peters Cemetery. The family would like to acknowledge the dedication and service of the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps; the compassion, kindness, and comfort provided by United Hospice of Rockland; and the spiritual guidance and support that Rev. Thomas F. Madden, pastor, St. Peter's Church provided to Catherine and family for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter's Church, United Hospice of Rockland, or the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps in her memory. Catherine T. Girling, cherished wife, mother, Mema to her grandchildren, sister, aunt, and friend to so many, departed this earth on Friday, February 7, 2014, with her loving family at her side. Born on August 22, 1926, to Thomas and Agnes Fay, Catherine was one of ten children. She attended St. Peter's elementary school and Haverstraw High School. She was employed by Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, N.Y for several years before working in the office of her late husband, Dr. George W. Girling, whom she married in 1950. Catherine was an accomplished and gifted singer who recorded several big band era albums. She especially enjoyed all things Irish - from Irish Music to a clever Irish joke - and was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Ireland in the 1990s as she and her daughter Jane toured and sang their way through the country of her ancestors. While she had an opportunity to pursue a singing career, Catherine chose to embrace her true calling - that of wife, mother to her eight children, and Mema to her sixteen grandchildren. All who knew Catherine were touched by her warmth, sense of humor, commitment to family, and unconditional love of others. She selflessly devoted herself to her family and friends, and that selflessness continued even as her time drew near. She wanted to make sure that those closest to her seek comfort in the knowledge that "the ones that love us NEVER really leave us because you can always find them in your heart." Catherine is survived by her eight children, Mary Catherine Allison, Patricia Donleavy (Tom), and Nancy, Wes (Michele), Jane, Eileen, Martin (Sue), Michael (Nancy) Girling, as well as her 16 beloved grandchildren, Brendan (Dana), Sean, and Mary Christine Donleavy; Michael, William (Kim), and Ryan Allison; Alex Craven; Laura Fitzpatrick (Mike); Kathleen, Erin, Michael, Martin, Max, Sara, Wesley (Kathy) and Eileen Girling. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and dear friends. Catherine was predeceased by her husband Dr. George W. Girling, her son John, her siblings, and her son-in-law William Allison. The family will receive visitors at TJ McGowan and Son Funeral Home, 133 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Monday Feb.10th from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 115 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Tues Feb. 11th at 10 AM with Internment to follow in St. Peters Cemetery. The family would like to acknowledge the dedication and service of the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps; the compassion, kindness, and comfort provided by United Hospice of Rockland; and the spiritual guidance and support that Rev. Thomas F. Madden, pastor, St. Peter's Church provided to Catherine and family for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter's Church, United Hospice of Rockland, or the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps in her memory. Catherine T. Girling, cherished wife, mother, Mema to her grandchildren, sister, aunt, and friend to so many, departed this earth on Friday, February 7, 2014, with her loving family at her side. Born on August 22, 1926, to Thomas and Agnes Fay, Catherine was one of ten children. She attended St. Peter's elementary school and Haverstraw High School. She was employed by Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, N.Y for several years before working in the office of her late husband, Dr. George W. Girling, whom she married in 1950. Catherine was an accomplished and gifted singer who recorded several big band era albums. She especially enjoyed all things Irish - from Irish Music to a clever Irish joke - and was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Ireland in the 1990s as she and her daughter Jane toured and sang their way through the country of her ancestors. While she had an opportunity to pursue a singing career, Catherine chose to embrace her true calling - that of wife, mother to her eight children, and Mema to her sixteen grandchildren. All who knew Catherine were touched by her warmth, sense of humor, commitment to family, and unconditional love of others. She selflessly devoted herself to her family and friends, and that selflessness continued even as her time drew near. She wanted to make sure that those closest to her seek comfort in the knowledge that "the ones that love us NEVER really leave us because you can always find them in your heart." Catherine is survived by her eight children, Mary Catherine Allison, Patricia Donleavy (Tom), and Nancy, Wes (Michele), Jane, Eileen, Martin (Sue), Michael (Nancy) Girling, as well as her 16 beloved grandchildren, Brendan (Dana), Sean, and Mary Christine Donleavy; Michael, William (Kim), and Ryan Allison; Alex Craven; Laura Fitzpatrick (Mike); Kathleen, Erin, Michael, Martin, Max, Sara, Wesley (Kathy) and Eileen Girling. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and dear friends. Catherine was predeceased by her husband Dr. George W. Girling, her son John, her siblings, and her son-in-law William Allison. The family will receive visitors at TJ McGowan and Son Funeral Home, 133 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Monday Feb.10th from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 115 Broadway, Haverstraw, NY on Tues Feb. 11th at 10 AM with Internment to follow in St. Peters Cemetery. The family would like to acknowledge the dedication and service of the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps; the compassion, kindness, and comfort provided by United Hospice of Rockland; and the spiritual guidance and support that Rev. Thomas F. Madden, pastor, St. Peter's Church provided to Catherine and family for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter's Church, United Hospice of Rockland, or the Haverstraw Village Ambulance Corps in her memory.
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Visitation

FEB 10. 02:00 AM - 04:00 PM T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home - Haverstraw, NY 133 Broadway Haverstraw, NY, US, 10927 info@tjmcgowansonsfh.com http://www.tjmcgowansonsfh.com

Visitation

FEB 10. 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home - Haverstraw, NY 133 Broadway Haverstraw, NY, US, 10927 info@tjmcgowansonsfh.com http://www.tjmcgowansonsfh.com

Funeral Mass

FEB 11. 10:00 AM St.Peters Church 115 Broadway Haverstraw, NY, NY, US, 10927

Burial

FEB 11 St Peters Cemetery Rt 9 W Haverstraw, NY, US, 10927
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