Catherine Elizabeth Bucci

Catherine was born in Providence RI on June 16, 1926 and attended Providence Schools until her graduation from Hope High School in 1944. Catherine went on to earn her Bachelors Degree in Education from Rhode Island College in 1948 and enter into a career that would fulfill her life’s passion; teaching children. It was at Hope High School where she met and would ultimately marry the love of her life, Thomas V. Bucci Sr. in 1949 in Providence. Together they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this past June.

Catherine was the oldest of six children but was raised by her paternal grandparents. She spent most of her childhood summers at Bonnett Shores, Narragansett, RI. She especially enjoyed her youth while living at the beach and often spoke of the warm summer days spent in the sun and sand reading endlessly, swimming and even kayaking.

Catherine and Thomas moved from Rhode Island to Portland, Maine in 1954. They would make this their permanent home. Together they raised five children; Tom Jr., Anne, Vincent, Kathleen and David.

In 1968 Catherine began her teaching career at Presumpscot Elementary School in Portland, Maine. Teaching children was truly her life’s passion and she spoke often of the joy in teaching first grade, particularly. She often remarked that first grade was the only grade to teach because it was the year students would learn to read. Most young children came to her as non-readers and when she sent them on their way, at the end of the school year, she knew she had given them each the lifelong gift of a literacy and a world far beyond their own four walls. Catherine herself was an avid reader and relished her time teaching her students to read. Her own children recall as youngsters that she always had a book in her hand, even when she was vacuuming!

During her teaching career with the Portland School System and in addition to teaching at Presumpscot Elementary School she would go on to teach at both Reiche and Lyseth Elementary schools until her retirement. She was often asked to mentor new teachers to the profession and many of them recall a phrase she used often, “expect nothing and that is what you will get, expect great things, and that is what you will see.”

Catherine was a member of Saint Joseph’s Church in Portland, Maine. Her faith played an integral and central role in her life and in that of her family and sustained her until her death. For over 25 years Catherine voluntarily led the Elementary CCD Program at St. Joseph’s Church in Portland.

After her retirement, she and Thomas enjoyed traveling together. They took many trips to Europe where they enjoyed connecting with their own heritage, meeting family and learning about the homelands of their ancestors, Ireland and Italy.

Catherine was the daughter of Leonard and Agnes (Duffy) Conway. She was pre-deceased in life by her two brothers, Leonard Conway and William Conway, and her sister Marjorie James as well as her son-in law, James Ball, Sr.

Catherine’s husband, Thomas V. Bucci, Sr., would survive only two days without her by his side and passed away on February 10, 2017. Catherine is also survived by her two sisters, Berniece Dempsey and Madeline George and two brothers in-law, Edward (Rose) Bucci and Vincent (Margo) Bucci. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews and godchildren.

In addition, Catherine leaves behind her five children, Thomas Bucci, Jr., Anne Bucci (Mark) Cignoli, Vincent (Susan) Bucci, Kathleen Bucci Ball and David (Becky) Bucci. She also leaves behind the other immense joy in her life, her grandchildren. She treasured each of them and their presence alone would light up those beautiful blue eyes like no one else. Nana had a special and unique bond with each of them and will be forever missed by Christine, David, Jennifer, Mary, Allison, Laura, Colleen, Erin, Matthew and Patrick. Their love is forever etched in her heart. She also leaves behind 7 great grandchildren; Charlotte, Kolby, Brynlee, Brendan, Kyler, Caroline and Theodore.

We would like to extend our deepest and most profound gratitude to Dr. Timothy Baum and his nurse, Sarah for the incredible and unsurpassed medical care and devotion provided Catherine during the last years of her life. Their compassion and responsiveness is unmatched.

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to our caregivers, Janet Blessing, Lisa Sanborn, and Danielle Medina for the compassionate care, skill, love and commitment they have shown both Catherine and Thomas each and every day so that they could remain together in their home over these past few years. And lastly to Mercy Hospital and the entire staff of Doctors and Nurses whose compassion and skill were immeasurable.

Friends and relatives are invited to a time of visitation from 3-7 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, ME.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of both Thomas and Catherine will be celebrated at 11 am Wednesday February 15, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 673 Stevens Avenue Portland, ME.

Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery 1461 Broadway South Portland, ME.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for additional information and to sign Catherine’s online guest book.

Arrangements under the direction of Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, Portland, ME.