Obituaries

Catherine Simon Courey, age 102, formerly of Clarksburg, WV, entered into eternal life on May 29, 2020. She was born in Millinocket, Maine on August 17, 1917, the eldest child of Elias and Nellie Wakem Simon.

She is survived by three children, Maria Regina Courey, of Columbus, Ohio; David Simon (Judy) Courey of Roanoke, Virginia; Michael (Betty) Courey of Georgia; four grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth (Chuck) Hagan; Christopher Courey; Bennett (Nicole) Courey and Emily (Scott) Pryor; 7 great grandchildren; 17 nieces and nephews and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.  Of the seven Simon siblings, a brother, Thomas (Gerry) Simon and sister, Jean (Simon) Dupont survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and their wives, Simon (Estella) Simon, George (Leonarda) Simon, Wakem (Mary) Simon, Abe (Beatrice) Simon, brother-in-law, Donald Dupont and nephew, David Andrew Simon.

There are many different chapters in Catherine’s long-life journey.  With faith and courage, she bravely met the challenges during difficult times.  She was the beloved family matriarch sharing her faith, wisdom and giving of herself in countless ways to family, friends and others. She grew up during hard times, working during her high school years.  After her marriage, she resided in Roanoke, Virginia where she managed the family diner.  In 1970, her children grown, she returned to Clarksburg, residing with, and caring for, her elderly father.  Catherine was a devout Catholic and an active member of Immaculate Conception Church.  She taught religion to the youth at her parish in Roanoke and continued teaching at Immaculate Conception Parish.  She was also active for several years in parish adult religious education programs.  She served as a Minister of Communion at church liturgies and in other areas of parish life.  Catherine was a longtime cafeteria supervisor at Notre Dame and St. Mary Schools, cooking home style meals, baking bread and rolls for hundreds of students and staff.  She and the cafeteria helpers also prepared and delivered daily luncheons to the former All Saints Catholic School in Bridgeport.  When needed, she often cooked meals at the parish rectory and for special events in the parish.  After retirement, she was a loving nanny for her niece and nephew while their parents worked and always available to care for other nieces and nephews.  Never idle, she cooked, baked and sewed for her family and friends.  She was a talented writer, especially poetry and she could recite from memory a large portion of the lengthy poem, entitled, “And What Is So Rare As A Day in June”.  Ironic that her funeral will take place on a day in June.  After losing most of her eyesight, she “Read” hundreds of books on tape of history and a variety of mind sharpening topics.  Well into her nineties when the weakness of aging took its toll, she moved to Columbus, Ohio to be near her daughter.  Catherine was greatly loved and respected and she will be missed.

There will be a private family visitation at Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort, WV.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 126 E. Pike Street, Clarksburg, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Casey Mahone as Celebrant and Father Richard Metzger, a dear and loyal friend, as con-celebrant.  Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Social distancing will be observed, and face masks are required due to the current pandemic.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com  A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home