BANGOR – Catherine Moody, 96, wife of the late Omar Moody, passed into the arms of Jesus Wednesday, May 5, 2010, surrounded by her loving family, after a short period of declining health. She was born May 27, 1913, in Brewer, and raised by James and Harriet Bowden in Passadumkeag. She attended schools in Passadumkeag and Milo, and graduated from Howland High School in 1930. After graduation she attended Machias Normal School, and at age 17 began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse on Long Ridge, Burlington. At age 18 she married and began her family. After the death of her beloved husband, Walter Richardson, she returned to teaching in Passadumkeag, where she remained for 14 years. In 1961 she married the second love of her life, Omar Moody, and after moving to Bradley, she began teaching at Viola Rand Elementary School, Bradley, where she remained until retirement in 1976. While teaching in Bradley, she mentored numerous student teachers, and many of those former teachers remain in contact, holding a great respect and affection for her. Also during her time at Viola Rand, she completed her education at the University of Maine, Orono, and continued to take educational courses each summer. She was selected to attend the Cuisinaire Rods seminar in New York City, and upon her return she shared her knowledge with teachers from Van Buren to Bradley. She was very active in Passadumkeag Grange, where she held various posts, as well as participated and worked in the many Grange plays and suppers. She was a faithful and active member of Passadumkeag Baptist Church and upon moving to Bradley, she transferred that faithfulness to Bradley Baptist Church. Kay, as she was known to friends and loved ones, loved to travel, visiting her family during the holidays; Thanksgivings with her son, Reg and wife in Caribou, and Christmases with her daughter, Coleen and husband in New York. She also enjoyed creating things by knitting, crocheting, tatting and sewing. In 2000 she moved from her home in Bradley to Sunbury Village, Bangor, continuing to be active in many activities, especially her Tuesday afternoon Bible studies with Dave and Donna Morrison, and continuing her talent of making new friends wherever she went. She wanted to be remembered as a teacher who disciplined with love and treated all her pupils fairly. At her 90th birthday party in 2003, she was honored by family, friends and many of those students whom she had taught during her career and who recalled fondly the experiences they had in her classroom. She had a personal remembrance for each of those students. Kay also had many wonderful and loving memories of her neighbors and dear friends, the Dudleys and their farm in Passadumkeag. Kay is survived by her son, Reg Hanson and his wife, Martha, of Caribou; daughter, Coleen Catrini and her husband, Sal, of Hermon; stepson, Gary Moody and his wife, Beverly, of Sherman; two grandchildren, Allan Hanson of Caribou and Nancy Barnes of Bradley; step-grandchildren, Nathan Moody, Dannette Moody and Jeaneane Cyr; great-granddaughter, Emily Barnes; many great-stepgrandchildren; her beloved friends, Gloria Ramp, Pauline Richards, Martha Latno and Bonnie Whitney; her new friends at Sunbury Village, including Gerald and Joanne, Wally and Sue, Randy and Debbie, Tom and Stephanie, Gary and Patty, Mary, Maxine and Jean; her special tablemates; and her special “roommate,” Kathy. Along with Kay’s foster parents, she was predeceased by her infant daughter, Patricia; her husbands, Walter Richardson and Omar Moody; and her stepgrandson, Logan. A very grateful thanks to her special caregivers, Andra and Shawna, for the faithful and loving care of our mother by understanding her needs which enabled her to maintain her independence and dignity, and to St. Joseph Hospice Care personnel for their total support, especially Melanie, Jessica and Cindy. Family and friends are invited to call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town, where a funeral service will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 12. Interment will be afterward at Gould’s Ridge Cemetery, Passadumkeag. A luncheon will be afterward at Passadumkeag Community Center. Notes of condolences may be left at www.birminghamfuneralhome.com. <
CATHERINE MOODY
