Catherine P. “Cathie” Williams-Bloom, age 86 of Grand Rapids, a caring and gifted woman died Friday, April 7, 2017. Cathie was a voracious reader and an avid writer. She was predeceased by her parents Albert T. and Mary B. Williams of Hot Springs, SD. After graduating from Hot Springs High School in 1949 Cathie attended Loretto Heights College in Denver, she had a scholarship for two years. She then transferred to Creighton University in Omaha. Cathie needed 6 weeks on campus in Ann Arbor for a master’s in speech pathology from the University of Michigan. Instead she chose to remain home to care for her young family. Cathie began her writing career as the Hot Springs correspondent for the Rapid City (SD) Journal. Time spent on the Creighton radio station prepared her for jobs at radio stations in Omaha. She was a writer at WOW, when the WOW staff won a Peabody Award for journalistic excellence. “It was thrilling work” she recalled. In Grand Rapids Cathie wrote for Glory Magazine, and the collectibles industry. Cathie also authored two books one on Hummel Figurines the other Capdomonti collectables. For years she wrote the Grand Rapids Press’ “With Us Today”, biographies of prominent senior citizens. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish for 50 years. Her activities with the St. Thomas School peaked when she chaired the St. Thomas Education Commission. She also was a member of the parishes finance council. During her tenure on the education commission St. Thomas’ teacher’s salaries were raised to 80% of their counterparts in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Cathie also was the publicist with the YWCA and the Kendall School of Design. She had a penchant for posies (flowers) possibly because her ancestors settled in Nebraska and South Dakota when the frontier was bleak. She also fancied quilts especially hand stitched artistry of yesteryear. An accomplished seamstress Cathie made the dress she wore when she married John T. “Jack” Bloom January 6, 1956 in St. Cecelia in Omaha. In addition to Jack Cathie is survived by four devoted sons – James P., Peter T., and Michael W. of Grand Rapids, and Timothy J. of Spring Lake, who cared for her daily from dawn to dust in her five years at Clark Retirement Community. Other survivors include a sister Mary Helen (Arthur) Bruce of Phoenix and South Dakota; brother James A. (Mary) Williams of Buffalo Gap, SD, a niece Col. Mary Catherine (Greg) Lynch of Virginia; nephews Thomas (Ryna) Williams of Florida, James and Sean Williams of South Dakota. The family wishes to thank the staff of Clark Retirement Community and Emmanuel Hospice for their care of Cathie. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr., Grand Rapids. Rev. James Chelich and Rev. Rock Badgerow co-celebrating. The family will meet with friends and relatives one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Thomas Education Foundation, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
