Catherine Lucy (White) Brown

Dec 2, 1919 - Apr 20, 2014

Catherine Lucy White Brown, 94, of Ferdinand, formerly of St. Meinrad, passed away April 20, 2014 at Scenic Hills Care Center in Ferdinand. Catherine was born December 2, 1919 in Plymouth IN to Omer and Marie (Molter) White.

She married Frank Fleming on September 12, 1942. Frank preceded her in death on October 26, 1959.

In January of 1961, Catherine met Bob Brown, a widower with a family of four. Bob swept her off her feet and they were engaged by May 24th. Catherine and Bob were married one month later on June 24th, 1961.

In 1937 Catherine graduated from Central High School and one year later entered St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in order to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Catherine was capped in 1938 and reached her goal by graduating in 1941. As a nurse, Catherine has held many positions: Staff Nurse at Medical/Surgery Units at four different hospitals; Private Duty Nursing; Physician’s office; Instructor of First Aid and Home Nursing Classes and an Industrial Nurse at the RCA plant in Bloomington, IN.

Catherine has served in many volunteer activities all her life, such as: National Council of Catholic Women’s Retreat Programs, Child Abuse and Neglect Council, Indiana Catholic Conference, Spencer County Council on Aging, Driver for handicapped and the elderly, Red Cross Blood Drive Volunteer and a longtime member of Catholic Union of the Sick Of America for 26 years.

Catherine had many hobbies such as, Reading, Praying, Classical Music, Traveling and Studying health related subjects. Catherine attended 14 St. Joseph/Holy Cross Alumnae weekend Reunions and enjoyed every second of the get-togethers. Catherine was most thankful for her nurse’s training, and for making her goal in life possible. She lived by the following quotes, “Once a nurse, always a nurse,” “Friendships are joys that never end,” “Life has been given to us and by completing what God gives us to do we find contentment and happiness.”

Catherine is survived by three sons, John Joseph VI Brown and wife Debbie of Friendswood, TX, Br. Benjamin Brown OSB of St. Meinrad Archabbey and James Patrick Brown and wife Maggie of Seattle, WA; twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson also survive.

Catherine was preceded in death by a daughter, MJ Heptig; two brothers, Paul White and John White; two sisters, Virginia Tschechtelin and Dorothy Butler; one grandson Nathan Trueblood.

Funeral services will be in St. Meinrad Catholic Church at 10:00 AM CDT with burial to follow in the Church cemetery.

Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com

12/01/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141214870/catherine_lucy-brown