Catherine Cecilia Walsh

Catherine (Kate) Cecilia Walsh, age 87, recently of Rapid City, South Dakota, died Thursday, March 17, 2005. Kate is survived by her brother, W. M. Walsh of Austin. She was preceded in death by her mother, Violet Paggi Walsh, and her real father, Charles W. Walsh. Kate was born in Austin on Feb. 13, 1918. She started her life in a home on West 2nd Street, across from the Old Snyder Store and the home of her great-grandparents, the Hoists. When her family moved to Deep Eddy to live in a house on Dam Blvd., Kate took pride in learning to “swim like a fish.” A kind and wonderful Irish man, Charles W. Walsh, married her mother and the family moved to his home at East 3rd Street and Red River. It was from his home that Kate pursued an excellent education in several fields and became a Christian. Though Kate worked in Austin as both a secretary and as a teacher, surrounded by co-workers and students who loved her, she had a calling. She admired and respected Native Americans, and Kate knew it was her mission in life to help them, especially their children. Kate went to New Mexico where she moved around the state, teaching on various reservations. Her love of the outdoors and the rugged life served her well, helping her find acceptance by the tribes she served. Though it was rare for an outsider to be invited into their homes, the families of Kate’s students welcomed her into their hogans. She learned much of the Native American ways, including their sad history. Finally, when age caught up with Kate, her wanderlust called her to the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was there that she completed her Earthly Mission. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be Sunday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 N. Lamar Blvd. A funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, March 21, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, East 10th Street and Brazos. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com