Catherine Frances (Beltrami) Howard
HITCHCOCK – Catherine Frances Beltrami Howard (Caterina Francesca) was born May 16, 1915, in Hitchcock, Texas, a first generation American born to Italian immigrant parents, Angelo and Maria Beltrami. She was the last surviving of five daughters. Catherine spent her early life working on the farm along with her father and sisters. When she attended school she learned English which she taught to her parents and sisters. She met and married Clevelend “Soup” Howard on June 6, 1936 and they had three children, two daughters and one son. She was one of the founding members of the Friendship Club and Altar Society at her church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Angelo and Maria Beltrami; four sisters, Victoria DeVries and her husband, Bettis, Bessie DeVries and her husband, Andrew, Augustine DeVries and her husband, Henry, Josephine Cascarelli and her husband, Bud; her beloved husband whom she adored, Clevelend Howard, to whom she was married three months shy of 69 years; her baby granddaughter, Glenda Rae Howard; and her sons-in-law, Joseph Custer and Joe Clevenger.
She is survived by daughter, Mary Clevenger, daughter, Charlene McDuffie and husband, Bill; son, Nelson Howard and wife, Lillian; eight grandchildren, Joe and Valerie Custer, Boo and Diane Custer, Mike and Brenda McDuffie, Matt and Kerri McDuffie, Mitchell McDuffie, Brenda Howard Menotti and Robert, Linda Howard Ardrey and Phil, Kenneth Howard and Karen; great-grandchildren, Max and Molly McDuffie, Morgan and Martin McDuffie, Mindy and Madison McDuffie, Cassie Custer Vanderford and Robert, Trey Custer, Coy Custer, Valen Custer, Chase Custer, Carly Custer, Jaime Menotti Singleterry and Terry, Caterina Menotti Jardina, Robert E. Menotti, Austin Ardrey, Arlton Ardrey, Lindsey Howard, Karlyn Howard, Kristen Custer; great-great grandchildren, Evan, Tyson, Aiden, Lyla, Jace and Adarra.
Catherine loved gardening, card games and playing slot machines. She was the owner of Howard’s Drive Inn and Howard’s Variety Store. She resided her last six years at Ashton Park Nursing Home, where she met and made so many friends. Our many thanks to all that took care of her these last days… even if you only came in to say hello, we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Pallbearers will be her six grandsons, Mike, Matt, Mitchell, Kenny, Joe and Boo.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Noon Saturday, May 21, 2011, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Reverend John Kappe, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Hayes Funeral Home.
Friends may call from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, 10412 Highway 6, (409) 925-3501, with a Vigil service beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Deacon Alvin Lovelady officiating, followed by a Rosary recited by the Knights of Columbus Council #10393.
Those who wish may make memorials in the form of donations to a church of your choice.
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