RACINE - Sr. Catherine (Louis Bertrand) Benigni OP, 93, passed away at Siena Center, Racine, on Monday, August 20, 2007. Catherine Benigni was born December 31, 1913, to Rudolph and Pauline (nee: Goodyear) Benigni in Gloucester, Ohio. On August 24, 1931, she joined the Racine Dominicans and at her reception in 1932, she was given the religious name, Sr. Louis Bertrand. She professed her first vows in 1934 and her final vows in 1940. In 1968, she returned to using her baptismal name, Catherine. Sr. Catherine spent many years in service to others in teaching. She began her ministry in 1934 at St. Mary, Racine. Other places in Wisconsin, where she served, were Holy Cross, Kaukauna; Holy Name, Kimberly; Holy Trinity, St. Rita, and St. Lucy, Racine; St. John, South Milwaukee; and St. Mary, Kenosha. She also served in Michigan in Detroit and Hubbardston. After moving to Racine in 1994, Sr. Catherine performed community service at Siena Center. She became a resident at Siena Center in October, 2004. Sr. Catherine is survived by the Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates; her sister, Sr. Carolyn Benigni SSJ; and sisters-in-law, Anne Benigni and June Benigni; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Albert and Rudolph; and sisters, Ann Bishop and Sr. Pauline Benigni OP. Visitation will be in the Siena Center Chapel on Thursday, August 23, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. with a Remembering service at 2:45 p.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 4 p.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Highway 32. Memorials to the Racine Dominican Mission Fund have been suggested. The Racine Dominicans would like to extend their thanks to the Supportive Living staff that cared for Sr. Catherine at Siena Center. MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME 803 Main Street 634-7888
Published in the Racine Journal Times on 8/22/2007.