Catherine M. Appell

Catherine M. Appell, a 48 year resident of Torrance, CA passed away peacefully on July 2nd, 2009 at home with her loving children by her side. Catherine was born in Queens, N.Y. on May 3rd, 1929 and has resided in the Los Angeles area for the last 53 years.

Catherine worked 3 years at McDonalds to provide braces for her eldest son before becoming the Foreign Student Secretary and Scholarship Secretary at El Camino College where she worked for 14 years. Catherine completed her AA Degree at El Camino College while raising 6 children. She enjoyed travel, and loved crafts and to crochet.

Catherine was a Cub Scout Den mother for numerous years and volunteered at Little Company of Mary Hospital the past 17 years. She had a strong devotion to the Catholic Faith, her children, her grandchildren and her pets. She was a fan of any team her children or grandchildren played for or rooted for.

Catherine is survived by her 6 children: Robert (Luz Feria), Francis (Hea Ran Kim), Maureen (Gerardo) Medina, William (Denise), Mary (Richard) Rios, and Tish (Mike) Sipila; her 12 grandchildren: Sarah (Anthony), Jackie, William, Dolores, Alex, Gabby, Michael, Mike, Stephanie, Lilliana, Jackson and Sienna; her 2 sisters: Mary Blanshan and Loretta Donohue; and several nieces and nephews on the East Coast. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis X. Appell.

Viewing hours begin at 6pm, with a Rosary Service at 7:15pm at Rice Mortuary in Torrance on Wednesday July 8, 2009. Mass will be held at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church on Thursday July 9 at 10am. Burial follows at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.

Please use this website, www.LAfuneral.com to send the family messages, share memories and obtain directions to services.