Obituary of Catherine P. McNamara

Catherine P. McNamara, of Brookhaven, PA, died January 16, 2013 at the age of 89. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Catherine was the youngest of many children. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, especially Irish songs. Catherine originally came to Philadelphia, PA and became a novice with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Bensalem, PA until 1945. Catherine returned to Ireland before traveling to Totnes, England where she was employed for several years as a governess for the Irish Playwright Sean O'Casey and his beloved family. Catherine eventually returned to Philadelphia, PA and worked as a waitress at Horn & Hardart's where she met many new friends. She married Hubert P. McNamara in 1952 and they moved to Prospect Park, PA then Brookhaven, PA. Together they had six children, five boys and one girl. Hubert and Catherine were married for 52 years until his death in 2004. Catherine worked at Stouffer's Restaurant, the Erin Pub, Our Lady of Charity Rectory and lastly, Riddle Memorial Hospital as a housekeeper on the Maternity floor until retiring at 81. Catherine had a life- long devotion to Saint Katharine Drexel, S.B.S. as well as her family. She was a dedicated worker who especially enjoyed working with families and children. Catherine was a loving sister and aunt to many relatives in Ireland and was predeceased by her siblings Christine Crawford, Esther Norton, Seamus Peavoy and Anne Mullen; her first child, Patrick and grandson, Matthew. SURVIVORS. Children: Peter H. (Elizabeth) of LaVergne, TN, James P. of St. Louis, MO, John M. of Brookhaven, PA, Kathleen of Garnet Valley, PA and Patrick T. (Joan) McNamara of Wilmington, DE Grandchildren: Kathleen, Andrew, Peter, Anna, Christine, Joseph, Margaret, Ellie and Bridget. Brother-in-Law: Robert (Margaret) McNamara of Belmar, NJ Memorial Contributions may be given, in memory of Catherine McNamara, to Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, 1663 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020,