Obituary for Catherine (Birnie) Dellecese
Catherine M. (Birnie) Dellecese, 92, of Ludlow, died on Mothers day, May 10, 2009 at her home at 37 Howard St. in Ludlow, surrounded by her beloved family. Catherine was born on June 8th, 1916 in Springfield, MA. to Alexander C. and Maryann (Ruxton) Birnie. She graduated from Ludlow High School. She went on to graduate from the University of Masssachusetts in Amherst, MA. In 1945 she enlisted in the Women’s Air Corps (WAC). She served her country in the European Theater, stationed in High Wycombe, England with the 8th Air Force under General Jimmy Doolittle, earning the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, WAAC Service Ribbon and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal. She married Thomas Dellecese on Christmas Day in 1945 at the American Cathedral in Paris. After returning home she earned a Masters Degree from Springfield College. She commited her life to her family, teaching, her community, her church, and the DAV Post #94, as well as the Frank W. Ackerman Post 3236 in Ludlow, where she served as chaplin for many years. She was a founder of the Ludlow Cooperative Nursery School, and taught 3rd grade for many years, first at the Primary and Cole buildings, and later at Veteran’s Park Elementary School. She retired from teaching 3rd grade at Veterans Park, and later accepted a position teaching at St. John the Baptist School, where she continued to teach until October of 2007. She was honored as Teacher of the Year by both Walmart and the Veteran’s Adminstration, and later was named Veteran of the Year in 2005. She was predeceased by her husband Thomas Dellecese, in March of 2000. She is survived by her three children, Carla Delle Cese of Ludlow; Ruxton Dellecese, of Tampa, FL; and Mairi Nelson, of Frasier, CO., her grandchildren, Rebecca Paul and Jason Clark, both of Ludlow; Ruxton Dellecese Jr. and Diane Dellecese both of Tampa, FL; and her great-grandchildren, Abagail Paul and Gunnar Paul both of Ludlow. She was also predeceased by a sister Marie Ellen Cottrell and a brother A. R. Birnie. Visiting hours at the Ludlow Funeral Home will be Wednesday evening from 4:00-7:00pm. Catherine’s funeral services will be held Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 10:00am in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Ludlow followed by burial with Military Honors in Island Pond Cemetery. Her family has requested that memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Disabled American Veteran’s Post 94 in Ludlow or to the St. John the Baptist School, Hubbard St. Ludlow, MA. 01056.
Her family has requested that memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Disabled American Veteran’s Post 94 in Ludlow or to the St. John the Baptist School, Hubbard St. Ludlow, MA. 01056.
Read More
Her family has requested that memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Disabled American Veteran’s Post 94 in Ludlow or to the St. John the Baptist School, Hubbard St. Ludlow, MA. 01056.
To plant a tree in memory of Catherine (Birnie) Dellecese, visit the Tribute Store.
Loading...
