Eileen E. Catt, 96, of Gaylord, MI., passed away on November 7, 2020, at Woodland Acres.
Eileen Elizabeth Wubbena was born on September 4, 1924, in Marquette, MI., to William L. and Maude (Martin) Wubbena. In her youth, she lived in Michigan, Colorado, and Maryland before graduating from William McKinley Technical High School in Washington D.C. where she played trombone in the marching band. She was a member of the Washington Redskins Marching Band.
She graduated from the University of Michigan School of Nursing in 1945. While working at the U of M Hospital as the head circulating nurse for the Chief of Thoracic Surgery, she met Robert “Keith” Catt, a student at U of M. They were married in 1947.
While Keith served in the U.S. Navy, the family of 5 moved often; LaCrosse, WI., Chicago, IL., Norfolk and Arlington, VA., and finally settling in Gaylord in 1960. When Keith was Executive Officer of the USS Tutuila, the ship would be at sea for months at a time. Eileen, not only raised their 3 children but she also “watched over” the wives of the ship’s crew, with her encouraging and comforting natural ability to help them through the difficult separations.
In 1963, Eileen resumed her nursing career at Otsego Memorial Hospital, where she was Director of Nursing for 16 years. And oh, she LOVED her nursing staff!
Eileen was very active in the Gaylord community. She was on the first Board of Directors for Alpenfest, as co-chairman of the Queen’s Pageant. Her love of music led her to many years of service with the Gaylord Band Boosters; where she played trombone in the Gaylord Community Band. She was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church; she sang in the choir and was the junior choir director for several years. She was the co-founder and chair of the popular annual pasty sale.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 71 years, Keith; her sister, Dawn Hendricks; brother, Col. William Wubbena; and her great-grandson, Andrew Neph.
Eileen is survived by her grateful children, Shari (Gary) Waldo, of Gaylord, Richard (Sheila) Catt, of Ludington, and Marjorie (Keith) Shev, of Traverse City; 8 grandchildren, Betsy (John) Neph, David (Alisha) Waldo, Sarah (Michael) Lee, Rachel (Nick) Ploeger, Nathan (Shawnna) Shev, Janelle (Aaron) Wylie, Karee (Brandon) Brown, and Lindsey (Shawn) McMillian. She is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Derek Olson and his staff at Alpine Family Medicine, Hospice of Michigan, and the Nelson Funeral Home.
Our hearts are full of gratitude for Woodland Acres, a very special place of caring and compassionate caregivers who provide so much love to those who live there.
A memorial service in Eileen’s honor will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Woodland Acres, at 2796 Plywood Rd. in Gaylord, MI, 49735, or to Hospice of Michigan Donation Processing Center at 145 N. State Street Ave. in Alpena, MI, 49707.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI. 49734.
64 comments on “Eileen E. Catt”
What a wonder lady. I considered it a great honor to be her son in law. I will surely miss our wonder talks over their yearly. I will always consider her my second mother. What a blessing to have her share a big part of my life.
Thank you so much!
Dear Shari and family. My condolences my friend..Sending Prayers to you❤
Thank you, Ann
Such a wonderful wife, mother, aunt , neighbor , church member, community giver and a true women of God !!! She was a hoot, loved to laugh and smile!!! A true member of our greatest generation!!!
Thank you, Ronny
We’ve told the story for over forty years about Eileen telling my mother and grandmother, (1977) after our first born son was born, to leave the hospital, so the mother could rest. She was a loving forceful women with a task to do and you really didn’t want to stand in her way.
Memories of both her and Keith are a wonderful segment of our life in the Gaylord Community. As with many long time Gaylord residence, Eileen was a solid supporter of Gaylord. So many can thank Eileen Catt for her honest involvement in early Gaylord.
God Bless her and may she rest in internal peace.
Thank you, Jim and Barb.
Mrs. Catt wouldn’t remember me but I was a good friend of Keith’s while working at “Glen’s Market”. Keith always had a welcoming smile and was very pleasant to me and she as well, even much after their retirement. I would see them always at the Alpenfest in July. They both approached me with big smiles and a how-do-you-do making me feel happy. They were very accomplished and assets to the Gaylord community.
Reading her obituary, the world lost a very special lady. My heart goes out to her family in their loss. Heaven just received another angel.
Thank you, Pat and Keith.
Eileen will be greatly missed! My sympathy and prayers to the family. She was a beautiful, wonderful lady!
Thank you so much, Sue♥️
I am sorry to read about Eileen’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Shari and the entire family. She was such great person and fellow member of Hope Circle. May you have peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Aara Sue
Thank you Aara Sue❤️
“Mama” Catt was such a dear neighbor and ‘Grandma’ to our young children when we lived across the street on Felshaw years ago. Many good memories abound from those years, remembering how she always had such a great smile, always asked about our kids as they grew older and moved away from home. She was so very proud of her kids and grandkids as well, and a wonderful band-mate with Steve on the trombone in the Gaylord Cummunity Band for many years. She and Keith were both such kind and generous friends, we so cherish our memories with them both. May God’s peace and comfort be with you and your family Shari, for lives well lived here, and as believers, we look forward to ‘seeing them later’. Love and hugs, Joan and Steve
Thank you, Steve and Joan ❤️
She was such a wonderful lady. Absolutely loved working with her at woodland acres. She will be greatly missed by all of us. Sending condolances and healing prayers to her family.
Thank you, Nikhol,so much!
Shari and family, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Catt was truly a wonderful lady. not only did she watch out for her nursing staff but she took many of us younger employees from other departments under her wing and would guide us and encourage us to always try new things.
“What have you got to lose?” she would say. She was greatly missed when she retired from the hospital and she will surely be missed by many. Prayers for the family.
Thank you, Ann, very much❤️
Shari and family, My deepest sympathy. Your mom has and will always hold a special place in my heart. She helped me spend almost 15 good years at McReynolds Hall. She had confidence in me as a nurse and I will always be grateful to her for the opportunity she gave me. Find comfort in all those good family memories you shared. Love to all.
Thank you,Mary Ann, so much!
Eileen… well I called her Misser Catt growing up…she was my second mother. She was a special lady. She was a wonderful mother, wife, nurse, and friend. I have too many fond memories of her and the Catt family to begin to mention. I love you, Eileen.
And she loved you! Thank you, Laurie❤️
Dear Catt Family – I remember the very first time that I met Eileen, January 15, 1979. I had just given birth to my first child and because my husband and I worked at the local radio station, his birth was announced on the radio. Eileen stopped in my room to see the mom and baby who they “were making such a fuss about on the radio”. Our relationship continued from there. There was nothing like being hugged by this amazing woman. Fierce and loving, happy and she always had time to talk. Thank you for sharing your mother with this community!!
She will be missed for sure.
Thank you, MeLissa❤️
After graduating from Gaylord High School in 1962, I went to work at the hospital as a nurses aide. She was always so helpful. Such a loving person and nurse. I saw her this past summer, where she lived. My good friend works there . She did remember me. Am so glad I got to see her.
Thank you so much, Sandy!
She was such a sweet lady. We have many fond memories of Grandma and Grandpa Catt. Always happy to visit with you and share stories of the beloved grandkids. Shari and Betsy you are in our prayers.
Thank you, Doug and Connie❤️
Shari, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of sorrow. Your Mother was one of the nicest people I have known.
God Bless
Thank you, Cheryl❤️
Shari and family…so sorry to here of your loss. I was under her wings for many years at the hospital and always had a good word for all. She was a special friend to my mom and very helpful to her. She was a great lady and will be remembered by all who crossed her path.
Thank you so much, Lynda❤️
I was a nurse’s aide at OMH when Eileen was charge nurse. She always wore a smile . I don’t remember her ever getting upset or having an angry word for anyone. Eileen was truly a kind, wonderful person . She will be missed by all who have known her.
Peace and Love to her family
Charmaine, thank you!
Dear Shari,
I’m so very sorry to hear of your moms passing. Your mom was, I believe THE first person I met here in Gaylord when I visited this hospital as a nursing student. She was so professional and so welcoming. ❤️ My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jodie-thank you so much!❤️
So sorry for Shari and Rick’s family for the loss of your MOM. I don’t think, I ever met your Mom but because of knowing you and your families. She must have been a very loving, caring, and wonderful MOM. So sorry.
Thank you very much!
Shari, Rick, Margie, and all. I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember the great times we had at the cocktail parties. It was lovely to see Eileen, Keith, Shari, and Gary when we visited Gaylord. Eileen was such a fun presence at those times. Thinking of you all.
Thank you, Linda! The friendship began in 1960-amazing!
Shari and family, So sorry for your loss. Your mother and father were great and kind supporters of the Gaylord and surrounding area! It was a definite pleasure to have known them. My thoughts and prayers to the whole family.
Vince, thank you so much!
Dearest Shari and family, Wanting you to know just how much I enjoyed working under your mother as a nurse aide in the 1970’s, she was such a kind lady, and so easy to work for. Wishing you and yours our sincere sympathy.
Thank you, Bev and Dick. Her nursing staff always meant the world to her❤️
Angels have led a wonderful woman into Paradise.
I will always remember Mrs. Catt’s gentleness, how I loved working side by side with her.
Oh Ann, thank you for your kind words❤️
I always loved hearing her music drifting throughout the neighborhood. Our most sincere condolences to her family.
Dear Pam, Thank you! Did you
enjoy Rick’s drum set, too?❤️
Shari and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Eileen’s smile will always live on in the memories of everyone who knew her and even those who didn’t. She was always a very gracious lady.
Thank you , Kathy💗
What an amazing woman! So blessed to have known her and to have received care from her at Otsego Memorial Hospital. She touched so many with her care and compassion. Our community is better because of her and Mr. Catt! Sending all our love and prayers to Shari, Gary, Betsy, David and all the family. Rest In Peace, Mrs. Catt, you will be missed.
Dear Kellie and Doug,
Thank you for your very kind comments.
Dear Shari,
I had the pleasure of getting to know your Mom (and Dad) after my “Aunt” Joanne moved to Woodland Acres. Eileen befriended everyone, and I’m grateful for her kindness. I would routinely tell her to make sure Aunt Joanne stays out of trouble, to which she’d reply – “I’ll do no such thing; I’ll be right there encouraging her!” I will miss her welcoming and reassuring presence. Blessings to you and your family at this time of loss.
Mary, I love this! Thank you so much❤️
What a beautiufl soul. Eileen was a big part of my wanting to be a nurse. From candystripper, to aide, to helping me deliver my first child. Her goodness and love for life, and people, and her profession will always hold a spot in my heart.
Mary, thank you for sharing this. Nursing was her heart and soul!❤️
I did not know Mrs. Catt personally, but I went to school with Rick and Shari. My memory is just a personal one, but thought I would share it anyway. I hope you don’t mind. I’ve told it to others over the years. We share the same name. I had never known anyone else with that name until I heard of her and saw her personally. I have to say, I didn’t like my name at the time, but I was so impressed with how tall and beautifully elegant she was, I decided then it was an okay name! She looked so classy to me as a youngster. But now, I can tell from all the comments, she was a very admired lady in so many ways. You were blessed to have been her family.
Eileen! I love your story and your kind words.
Thank you so much. I am so sorry to be late with this reply.
I feel so blessed to have met and help take care of both of your parent’s at Woodland Acres…They were both beautiful people.
Sara, thank you! And you were so kind to them!
I am so sorry to hear about this she was a wonderful lady and I am so thankful I got to take care of her. I know she loved me just as much as I loved her 🙏💙💜💚🙏May God be with you and your family at this time.
Ashley, thank you! Yes, she loved
“her girls”, and appreciated the kindness that is so prevalent at Woodland Acres.