Catherine Elizabeth Lanius Day

A former resident of Woodville, Miss., she died Friday, June 1, 2007, at her home in Baton Rouge at age 89. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Monday, June 4, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation resumes at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 2250 Main St., on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Donald Blanchard, celebrant. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Park. She is survived by five daughters and four sons-in-law, Beth and Steve Gerhart, Susan and Don Crowther, Patricia Day and Joe Simmons, Jane and Jim Edwards and Amy Egan; five sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Peggy Day, John and Carolyn Day, Richard Day and Diane Baker, David and Paz Day and William and Mary Day; 34 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, John W. Day; son, Thomas E. Day; daughter-in-law, Sissy Owens Day; two brothers, James Lanius and John Lanius; and four sisters, Donna Tucker, Margaret Herman, twin Irene Kelly and Amy Oehmig. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, David Day, Jason Day, Anders Gerhart, Robert Lee, Daniel Duvic, Thomas Duvic, Jim Edwards, John Egan, William Egan, Nathanael Egan, Sam Trujillo, Dennis Day and Benjamin Day. Honorary pallbearers are her granddaughters, Terri Day, Wynne Waltman, Lainy Gooch, Wren Westbrook, Donna Lee, Michelle Lee, Rebecca Lee, Laura Saloom, Annie Wally, Catherine Edwards, Sarah Edwards, Amanda Edwards, Meri Hodge, Elizabeth Egan, Anna Egan, Sophie Day, Veronica Trujillo, Diana Day, Cristina Day, Tara Day and Madeline Day. She graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1935 and LSU in 1939 in elementary education. She was a former teacher and honored for her volunteerism in the Catholic church and Girl Scouting with the Joan of Arc Award. She was an active troop leader for her five girls in Brownie, Cadette and Senior troops. She was a representative to Conference on Vatican II, served as principal of the St. George CCD program in Baton Rouge and president of the Parish Council of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Woodville. "Miss Kitty" was an avid scrapbooker and served as the scrapbook chairman for many of the community organizations in which she was involved, such as the Irwin Russel Club of Woodville and the UDC and DAR. Along with her husband, John Wilton Day, she was recognized for their generous support of the LSU Foundation. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, Hospice of Greater Baton Rouge or Sacred Heart Church Foundation Fund.