Catherine King Oliver Obituary (1916 - 2014)

PORTLAND - Catherine King Oliver died on May 30, 2014 attended by family members joining her beloved husband Vincent in Heaven. She was born in Boston on March 3, 1916 to Patrick and Barbara Joyce King, recent arrivals from Ballyconneely, Co Galway, Ireland. She left Boston at age 11 following her mother's premature death and was raised in Houlton and Portland by her aunt Mary King. She graduated from Cathedral High School and the Northeastern Business College in Portland. Catherine and Vincent married in 1945 and spent 57 years happily married before Vincent's death in 2002. They raised their four children on Stevens Avenue in Portland where they were actively involved in community and church affairs (St. Patrick's Parish) as well as their children's many educational and sports activities. They spent many happy summers together with family and friends at the home they built together, and later retired to, on Sebago Lake.Catherine worked at Emery Waterhouse prior to starting a family. After her children completed high school, she returned to work as a Teacher Assistant at the Hall School in Portland. Following retirement, she and Vincent spent winter months at their home in Winter Haven, Florida in the company of many friends from Maine and new acquaintances from Florida. They also enjoyed their trips to Ireland visiting with Catherine's sisters and many nieces and nephews. Friends and family, including grandchildren and great grandchildren were the center of Catherine's life. Enjoyable times for her included holiday gatherings, a good game of cards, various outdoor activities including swimming, sailing, fishing, ice skating, water skiing (all of which she engaged in well into her 70's), and any occasion to laugh or share a good story. She remained up-beat, positive and good-humored throughout life, even during times of adversity, always making the best of what life held in store. She was a resident of d'Youville Pavilion in Lewiston since October 2011 where she was cared for by the loving staff. Her enthusiasm for the social activities and regular exercises showed her true mettle. Her family appreciated her "4 West" family and, in the last few weeks, their many stories about Catherine's faith, resilience, and character. In addition to her husband, Catherine was pre-deceased by her sisters Barbara and Mary King of Boston, Anna Kenny and Dorothy McCormack of Ireland, and her brother Joseph King of San Francisco. She is survived by her daughters Cathy Hansen and husband Harry, of Melbourne Beach, Florida; Frances Fowler and husband Fenwick of Farmington; sons John Oliver and wife Anita of Yarmouth; and Tom Oliver and wife Terry of Poland Spring. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren including Lisa Backman and husband Jim; Ray Letarte and wife Ana; Tony Oliver and partner Jessica Harrison; Joseph and Mattie Fowler; Ray, Tammy, and Jeff Hansen; Walter and Oliver Backman; and Tony, Omar, and Bridgette Letarte; and many nieces and nephews in Ireland and California. Visiting hours for Catherine's family and friends will be Tuesday, June 3, from 9:00 - 10:30 A.M., with prayers recited at 10:15 a.m., at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph's Church, 673 Stevens Ave., Portland. Interment at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:D'YouvillePavilion Resident Activity Fund, 102 Campus DriveLewiston, ME 04240orSt. Brigid School695 Stevens AvenuePortland, ME 04103Online condolences may be expressed below.