Catherine Ann Raftery, 78, of Norwalk, Ohio, a fixture at St. Alphonsus Church in Peru, entered into heavenly rest on September 10, 2025, after several recent health struggles, ultimately passing at Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk on Wednesday.

Catherine was the oldest of Marie (Brown) and Richard Raftery's children, born in Norwalk, Ohio on July 12, 1947, and baptized by Rev. Lambillott, the Pastor at the time of St. Alphonsus in Peru, Ohio.  Catherine started school at St. Alphonsus, a then 2 room schoolhouse, in 1953.  In 1966, she graduated from Monroeville High School.

Catherine was a hard worker who gently, but directly demanded the same out of those around her.  She used her God given talents and abilities and of those around her to consistently meet the needs of the church and parish community.

Catherine's love of animals was fostered at an early age working on the family farm.  The quiet time spent on the tractor also helped grow her faith and prayer life.  She was also a babysitter, working with families in need, which became a lifelong passion.

In 1967, Catherine began her 20 year career at Stokely's, a former canning factory in Norwalk.  All the while, she found peace, joy, and harmony by attending Mass on Saturdays and Sundays, also volunteering in any and every way possible at the church.

In 1969, when the St. Alphonsus School closed, Catherine started the St. Alphonsus Youth Group as an effort to keep the children of the parish together.  Her desire to share the faith and keep children out of trouble helped many in the community.  Although she wasn't musical herself, Catherine traveled to Bismarck and brought St. Jovita in to help teach and get a youth choir going for Sundays, Christmas, and Holy Week.  In 1973, Catherine moved into the old convent with her sister Diane.  She took advanced religion classes at St. Paul and in 1974, began teaching the faith as a CCD teacher.  She was also a Eucharistic Minister, sacristan, and in 1989 became the parish facilities manager.

Over the years, Catherine worked with, and for, 14 different Priests.  Her direct nature and genuine intentions, helped them all and was ultimately endearing.

In addition to everything already mentioned, she cared for the sick through prayer chains, trained servers, sacristans, setup and cleaned for wedding rehearsals, festivals, turkey dinners, PSR teacher, vacation bible school, baseball games, Christmas programs, Halloween parties, Easter egg hunts, mowing the grounds and cemetery, snow removal, cleaning, and everything else related to grounds maintenance.

Along with her St. Alphonsus family, Catherine is also survived by her siblings, William (Beverly) Raftery, Diane (Rick) Hicks, Elizabeth "Betty" Gravenhorst, and David (Elizabeth "Betsy") Raftery; nieces and nephews, Megan (Nathan) Pifer, Nathan (Molly) Raftery, Awna (Shawn) Stark, Corigan (Vanessa) Palmer, Tyler (Heather) Palmer, and numerous great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her siblings, Mary and Tom Raftery, and brother in-law, Tom Gravenhorst.

The visitation for Catherine will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1322 Settlement Rd, Norwalk, OH 44857 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.  Visitation will be held again on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the church before the funeral Mass, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.  The co-officiated funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Ron Schock leading the service and celebration of Catherine's life.  Burial will follow the funeral Mass in St. Alphonsus Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 66 Chapel St., Monroeville, OH 44847. Online expressions of sympathy to the family can be made by visiting: www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com

Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, Norwalk is honored to assist with Catherine's funeral arrangements, and feels blessed and thankful for her friendship over the years.  As Catherine would often say, "Always with love and peace".