Catherine Ann Perino

January 27, 1922 - November 4, 2013

Our beloved Irish mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt left this world on Monday, November 4, 2013 at Heritage Health Care in Dwight surrounded by the angels who took care of her this last year of her life. She came into this world on January 27, 1922, the eighth child born to William and Rosella Higgins, weighing two pounds and not expected to live. She was small but mighty. Catherine was raised in Braidwood on Main Street with her sisters, Blanche, Bernice, Mary, Rita, Rosella; and her brother, Bill. Two of her brothers, Raymond and Bernard died in infancy. Mom was always proud of her Irish heritage, but on November 25, 1943 she married her beloved husband, Roy (Jiggie) Perino, an Italian. They enjoyed many lively years together on Main Street until Jiggie’s passing on July 5, 1986. Catherine and Jiggie were blessed with four daughters; Lauren Jane (Charles) Votta, their children, John Votta and daughter Zoya; Catherine (Votta) Ferguson and her children, Autumn, Gavin and Logan; Michael (Jenny) Votta and their children, Nicolas and Liam; Elizabeth (Ira) Norooz and their son, Matthew; Jay (Andrea) Votta and their children, Genavieve, Claire, and Aubrie. Linda Jean (David) Krier, and their children, Anthony (Erin) Krier and their children, Sadie, Preston, Brooke, and Lynne; Matthew Krier; Denise (David) Wheeler and their children, David Aaron, Liberty, Luke, and Eliana Merci; Nicholas (fiance, May) Krier, M.D.; Nathan (Traci) Krier and their son, Noah; and Monica Krier. Lana Joan (Bud) Cromp, and their daughter, Beth (Bruce) Fatlan, and their children Baily, Ben, Brody, and Britney. Leone Joyce (Ken) Heberer and their children, Laura (Tobey) Burton, their children, Mollie, Abie, and Michael; Lisa (Robert) Hobbs, Jr., and their children, Chrissy (great-great grandson, Rylan and expected great-great granddaughter), Robert III, and Jessie. Catherine is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces. Catherine attended first grade at the Catholic School in Braidwood. She completed elementary school at the East School and she graduated from Reed-Custer High School in 1940. She attended one year at Illinois State University. Catherine was a devout parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church until age and health prevented her active involvement. She also served her community on the library board, being a founding member at Fossil Ridge Library. Catherine enjoyed traveling. She took many trips. Her favorite memory was a trip to Ireland with her family. Her family would like to thank her many caregivers who exhibited loving concern for her during the past year. Family and friends will meet at the Immaculate Conception Church in Braidwood for a Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, November 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Show Reddy Allam will officiate. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Braidwood. Visitation will be at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd. & Crematory, Braidwood Chapel, Thursday, November 7 from 3-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Immaculate Conception Church or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation would be appreciated.