Catherine Ennis

Catherine Ennis, (nee Toburn) a lifelong resident of Yonkers, died peacefully on January 30, 2012. She was 89 years old. Her daughter was by her side at Andrus on Hudson where Catherine was given tender, loving care by the kind and professional staff of Andrus and Calvary Home Hospice. Catherine was born in Yonkers to John Toburn and Margaret McCrudden Toburn on April 2, 1922. She graduated from School #7, Ben Franklin, and the High School of Commerce. In the 1940’s, Kay, as she was known, worked for Equitable Life Assurance Co. in Manhattan and later the Otis Elevator Company in Yonkers. One of her responsibilities was delivering War Bonds to Otis employees at all the locations within the waterfront complex. Long after after leaving Otis in 1949, she was greeted by people who still remembered her as the Bond Girl. Kay met Michael Ennis at Otis, when he returned to his job after serving in Europe during World War II. They were married on September 6, 1947, in Christ the King Church, where they remained active parishioners, she serving as a Girl Scout Leader, school volunteer and member of the Rosary Alter Society. After raising her own two daughters, Kay became a popular baby-sitter in the neighborhood. One of her favorite activities in middle-age was dancing at the Margaret Pike School and preforming in dance recitals each year. As a senior citizen Kay continued to enjoy dancing as well as swimming with the Merry Mermaids at the Linden Street Pool. She took part in arts and crafts, creating many beautiful Holiday decorations with Senior Citizens Group 4 at the Cola Center. She also served as the group’s recording secretary for several years. She was a Democratic Party District Leader in the Third Ward of Yonkers for over thirty years, and an Election Inspector there also. She was a member of the Amackassin Club for more than fifty years, and a member of the Yonkers Historical Society. Her beloved husband of sixty years, Michael died in 2007. She is survived by her daughter Kathleen Ennis of Yonkers, daughter and son-in-law Patricia and William Fong of Overland Park, Kansas, and her grand-children Michael and Caroline Fong. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters and their husbands, Evelyn and Bob Lockwood, Anna May and Jim Malcolm, Margaret and Harold Lunham, brothers-in-law Peter and William Ennis, nephews James Malcolm and John Toburn Lockwood, and niece Peggy Ann Lunham. Donations in Catherine’s memory may be made to the Monsignor John J. Foley Scholarship Trust Fund, Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart, 110 Shonnard Place Yonkers, NY 10703. Visiting hours will be at the Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Thursday and Friday from 2-4 & 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday February 4th in Christ the King Church at 10am. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Avenue

Yonkers, NY 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com