Catherine A. Paul

SPRINGFIELD – Catherine A. (Denette) Paul, 58, of Springfield, MA, passed away at home Sunday, November 29, 2009 after a three year battle with cancer and a knockdown, furious battle it was. She never gave up and never gave in.

She was blessed with her three loving sons, Steven Paul of Austin, TX, Todd Paul and his wife Jessica of Springfield, MA and Eric Paul, also of Austin. She also leaves to treasure her memory her brother, Richard and wife Colette of Ludlow, MA, and sister Chris Denette and Ellen Anderson of East Hartford, CT; her grandchildren, Zachary Paul, Keri-Lynn Paul and Tyler Paul; her best friend Edie Paul and husband Albert; her nieces, Denise Echols and husband David, Michelle Denette and fiancée, Bruce Legere, Heather Brady and husband Jeff, and Amber Paul, her goddaughter;  her nephews, Michael Denette and wife Kim, and Edward Denette and wife Amy; cousins Rose Keiffer and husband John of Feeding Hills, MA and Marion Lawton and husband Chris of Naples, FL; and many grandnieces, grandnephews and friends.  She was predeceased by father Clarence Denette and mother Edna (Driscoll) Denette, as well as grandparents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A lifelong resident of Springfield, Cathy graduated from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Cathedral High School and STCC. At Cathedral, she was the star pitcher on the softball team, striking out the most batters in the league her senior year. She also loved ice hockey, was a loyal Springfield Indians and Falcons fan and season ticket holder and passed that enthusiasm to her son Eric. Nothing, though, topped her love for the Red Sox. What joy she had in celebrating the sweet, shocking four-game sweep of the Yankees that lead to that first, incredible World Series win, later followed by a second! Two other loves of life were romance novels by the score, filling every shelf, and her cats and dogs. Her current brood of three cats (Punkin, Belle and Precious) and one dog (Cappy) are merely the most recent of those many who shared her life. Even stray cats knew her house was the place to end up if they needed to be saved. She shares this passion for the animals with her niece Michelle. Family and friends can also remember Cathy’s warmth as they snuggle into the knitted blankets/shawls she made.

Her work opportunities included positions in accounts payable and as assistant to the manager of Standard Electric, the accounts payable department of Friendly’s corporate offices and, finally, accounts payable at Baystate Health Services in Springfield. The best part of each job was the new friendships she enjoyed. In addition, Cathy worked with the Pine Point Community Council for various neighborhood improvements for a number of years.

Cathy and the family would like to thank the Baystate Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice for all its help, especially for the kind, gentle and professional care of nurse Kathy Crane, Reiki practitioner Louise and aide, Galina.

Calling hours are Wednesday December 2, 2009 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA.  Her memorial mass will be on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 217 Hubbard St., Ludlow.  Further services will be private.

Donations in her memory may be sent to the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, 627 Cottage Street, Springfield MA 01104.

Cathy, we cherish the special places in our hearts that will always be reserved for you. We thank you for the gift your living brought to each of us.  We love you. We will remember you always.