Catherine (Raley) Heathcott

Visitation: 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Titzer~Miller & Miller Colonial Chapel & 8:30 a.m. until time of service at Little Sisters

Services: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, at Little Sisters of the Poor

Catherine (Raley) Heathcott Catherine Heathcott of Evansville, IN passed away on Sunday February 23, 2014 with family by her side. She was 93 years old. She was born the second child of Earl and Edna Raley of Waverly, Ky, on January 12, 1921, who preceded her in death as well as her brother, John Raley and sisters Mary Willcutt and Helen Thomas. Catherine married the love of her life, Charles (Barney) Heathcott, on May 15, 1943, and together they lived a long and happy life. Catherine worked at Fendrich Cigar Factory in Evansville early in her life and became a devoted wife and mother, staying at home to raise their two sons, Charles “Ray” and David. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as a great friend. Catherine was warmly known as the “Hugmeister” hugging everyone that came into her life. A member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in the city, Catherine spent her life serving the Lord alongside her husband Barney. She was Past President of the PTA, Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary and worked the dinners at annual Summer Socials. She was a member of the Senior Citizens Club, the Marian Day School Auxiliary, the D of I, and she was a den mother in Scouting. Catherine was a volunteer at Little Sisters of the Poor for over 40 years giving to those in need in many ways and she will always be remembered kindly as the “BINGO QUEEN” being dedicated to calling BINGO each week, during activities at the home. Catherine had many passions in life but her family was always her priority. She will always be remembered for teaching her children and their cousins, as well as many friends, how to dance. She would teach them the latest dance craze and would always dance around teaching them all the jitterbug. She and her husband enjoyed trips to Clearwater Beach, FL every year with their two sons and once they were grown and married, it continued to be a family tradition. When traveling long distance became too much, she enjoyed going to the mall nearly every weekday morning, where she met up with friends to walk, celebrate birthdays and share stories. She and her husband also enjoyed driving throughout Indiana and Kentucky and would take a yearly drive to Fancy Farm in Kentucky. Catherine was a fan of sports! She would travel with friends to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play, accompany her sons to Indianapolis to watch the Colts play and true to fashion, she was a diehard Cubs baseball fan, as well as an IU basketball fan. She enjoyed calling her daughter-in-law on the phone when the Cubs would “pull one out” or when IU won a game. When baseball season was over and the Cubs would lose yet again, she would reenact Harry Carey's old motto, “CUBS WIN” by calling her daughter-in-law and jokingly hollering “CUBS WIN” every time IU basketball won a game. She and her daughter-in-law turned this phrase into a game all its own with each trying to call the other first, whenever IU won another game. She was also a huge fan of the Evansville Otters spending many summers watching ballgames with her son and his wife. Catherine was the most kind-hearted person anyone could meet. Although many felt honored to be her family or friend, it was Catherine that felt honored to love and be loved by so many in this world. She was a loyal and beautiful woman who will truly be missed. Her beginnings in life were humble but throughout her life, it was clear: She was the richest woman by far with a loving husband, 2 sons that doted on her every chance they got and she was truly blessed with 5 wonderful grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Catherine will always be remembered for her charm and sense of humor. She would wrap her arms around you and at that moment, you knew you were loved. She had a spirit about her that exuded LOVE. Also preceding Catherine in death are her loving husband Barney, adoring granddaughter, April Heathcott and several nieces and nephews. Surviving Catherine are: Sons, Ray (Rhonda) and David (Jackie) of Newburgh, IN; Grandchildren: Todd (Ann), Chad (Amy), Joseph (Ashley) and Penny Heathcott. Also surviving is Todd and Chad’s mother Mary Joyce Heathcott; Great Grandchildren: Sydney & Bryce; Colin & Madeline; Corbin Buchanan and Olivia Heathcott-Unseld, as well as several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Little Sisters of the Poor, 1236 Lincoln Ave. with visitation beginning at 8:30 a.m. until time of service. Fr. Ted Tempel will preside with burial in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at Titzer Family Funeral Home, Miller & Miller Colonial Chapel, 100 E. Columbia St., Evansville, Indiana, (812) 424-9274. If friends wish, donations may be made in her memory by mail to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org/waystohelp. Sympathy wishes to the family may be made at www.titzerfuneralhomes.com