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- Catherine Pauline McCracken (nee Duquette) was born in North Tonawanda, New York on August 8, 1918, to Frederick Duquette and Bertha Duquette (nee Meyer). She departed this life peacefully on Monday, August 27, 2018 at Northgate Manor Healthcare Facility in Wheatfield, New York.
Mostly known as Kay or Katie, Catherine lived a long, healthy and active life. Only days before her death, she was celebrated at her 100th birthday party by many friends and family members. Kay was known for her smile and her positive approach to life. She did not lack in opinions, but was (almost) always fun to be with, and always ready for an adventure.
In the words of a granddaughter, she was a “firecracker of a woman”.
Katie lived her entire life in North Tonawanda, but traveled throughout much of the US and Canada, including Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean. Before and during World War II she worked at Bell Aircraft, where she was involved in early-on data processing. The money she made at this time allowed her to buy a 1938 Studebaker and a fur coat. She married Grant McCracken after his return in 1945 from a World War II prisoner of war camp, and gave birth to her three children; David Grant in 1946, Gary Frederick in 1948, and Janet Ann in 1953. Kay took breaks from full time work to raise her children, but she returned to work at Bell Aircraft, and later worked as head of data management for Catholic Charities.
After her husband Grant died in an industrial accident 1963, Kay supported her boys and raised her young daughter. She made their home at 212 Rumbold Avenue a welcoming place for friends, family and dogs, and encouraged and supported her children in their education. Her daughter and best friend Janet passed in 2004.
Upon retiring from Catholic Charities, Kay engaged in numerous volunteer activities, most notably as a long-time volunteer with Meals on Wheels and as a volunteer at DeGraff Adult Day Care, to which she devoted innumerable hours over many years.
Katie was athletic throughout her life. In her youth, she loved swimming and swam across the Niagara River from Tonawanda to Grand Island. She loved ice skating at the North Tonawanda Market and at Ives Pond. She bowled on several teams, often with high games in the 200’s. She loved doing craft projects, especially with her daughter Janet. Later in life she took up golf and cross-country skiing. She continued to golf and ski well into her 80’s with many friends and especially with her long-time friend Bill Andrews.
Throughout her long life she maintained many friendships and supported her family as a sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother.
She was the sister of Beatrice, Olga Kennedy, and LeGrande (known as Guy) Kramer, all deceased. The mother of David (Nancy – deceased) McCracken, Gary (Jamey Dobbs) McCracken and Janet (Howard) Hart. Survivors include sons David and Gary, son-in-law Howard, and sister-in-law Jackie Kramer. Grandchildren are Kevin McCracken, Molly (Stephen) Pont, Reba McCracken, Sally McCracken, Dan (Anna) Hart, Jon Hart, Tim Hart, Andy (Linda) Hart and Peter (Samantha) Hart, and step-granddaughters Jessica and Caitlin Elledge. She is great-grandmother of Tom, Kate, James, Ben, Drew, Madison, Bella, Connor, Ian and Jack. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, and many friends.
She was a long-time member of the Ascension Roman Catholic Parish.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 PM on Saturday, September 1, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 800 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda. Interment and a celebration of her life are planned for a later date. If desired, memorials may be made to DeGraff Adult Day Care or Meals on Wheels.
Catherine is with God and in our hearts forever.
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1918 - 2018 (100 years)