Shirley Ann Catt

Shirley Ann Catt (nee Leslie), January 10, 1930 to April 7, 2016 It is with great sorrow that we report our devoted mother and loving grandmother, Shirley Ann Catt, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 7 after a brief illness. She was 86 and a "cradle-to-grave" Roman Catholic. She was born Shirley Ann Leslie on January 10, 1930, to Walter Scott Leslie, a rock Island Railroad engineer, and Magdaline Helen Leslie, a former school teacher in Valley Junction (West Des Moines) Iowa. Shirley was the fifth of six children born to the Leslies. She was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Valley Junction in March 1930. When she was two years old, Shirley and her family moved to Manly, Iowa. The Leslies joined Sacred Heart parish and it was here that Shirley was confirmed (Mary as her Confirmation Saint). She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School from kindergarten until her junior year in high school, and then attended Manly High School. At Sacred Heart Shirley was involved in numerous parish activities and she was especially fond of her teachers, the Sisters of Charity- Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). While at Manly High School, Shirley participated in Chorus, Y-Teen, Pep Club, lettered in varsity basketball and softball, was a member of the Lettermen's Club, and was art editor for the school yearbook and paper. Her nickname at Manly High School was "Les." Following graduation from Manly High School on May 20, 1948, Shirley fulfilled her dream of becoming a registered nurse after graduating in May 1952 from St. Joseph College of Nursing in Mason City, Iowa. According to her college roommate and lifelong friend, Vivian McAldoon, "Shirley was the epitome of the devoted nurse, often going above and beyond to ensure patient care." Shirley then joined the United States Navy and was commissioned as ensign in September 1952. After her initial training at St. Albans Naval Hospital, NY, she joined the nursing staff of the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, CA. It was here that she met Daniel A. Catt, the love of her life. Dan and Shirley Catt were married on October 15, 1955. Shirley left the Navy in 1955 and spent the next 25 years as a registered nurse with the Veteran's Administration. During her career with the VA, she served primarily as a chief pediatric nurse and surgical nurse. Her final duty was with the Danville VA, where she retired in 1978. Shirley spent many happy hours reading, attending mass at St. Paul's Catholic Church (she was a parishioner since 1974), traveling the world with Daniel after he retired and enjoying time with her family and friends. Her parents, Walter and Helen; husband, Daniel; brothers, Raymond, Allen, Curtis; sister, Dorothy, all preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother, Loy Leslie; son, Michael (Susan) Catt of The Woodlands, TX; daughter, Tracy Bryant (Harvey L.) of Westfield, IN; son, Patrick (Dr. Karyn) Catt of Normal, IL; grandchildren, Jeffrey of Chicago, IL, Daniel of Houston, TX, Courtney of Spokane, WA, Tyler of The Woodlands, TX, Elizabeth of Normal, IL; Zachary of The Woodlands, TX, Ethan of Normal, IL; and many nieces and nephews. A remembrance of Shirley's life will be held 5-7 PM, Friday, April 15, 2016 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Her funeral mass will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 11 AM, Saturday, April 16, 2016. Shirley will be buried at the National Cemetery in Danville, IL. In lieu of flowers, Shirley wanted and her family asks that donations be made to any of the following: The Scholarship Fund at Schlarman Academy, St. Paul's Catholic Church, Habitat for Humanity, and Boy's Town (14100 Crawford Street, Boy's Town, NE 68010). Please join Shirley's family in sharing memories, photos and video on her Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com