Catherine H. (Demaris) Hale

Catherine H. (Demaris) Hale, 97, died at home on Monday, April 30, 2018.

     Catherine was born in Colrain on September 27, 1920 the youngest of 11 children of Peter and Cordelia (LaFrance) Demaris. She attended grammar school in Colrain and graduated from Arms Academy, class of 1939.

     In 1942 she was married to Ernest Hale. During WWII Catherine was employed as an inspector at a hosiery factory in Florida. Upon returning to her hometown, Catherine worked for the Kendall/Colgate companies for 31 years.

     She was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Shelburne Falls for many years. Catherine also volunteered at the Shelburne Senior Center for 24 years having served as Treasurer and as a member of the Council on Aging. She received the Silver Dove award in Boston and Volunteer of the Year award from the FCHC for her service at the Senior Center.

     Catherine enjoyed dancing, she was a member of the Shelburne Women’s Bowling League for many years and was a devoted fan of the Red Sox and Patriots.

     Her hobbies at home included painting with water colors, sewing clothes, hand quilting, making wedding cakes, and gardening-especially her spring tulips, geraniums, perennials  and annuals.

     Survivors include her daughter with whom she lived, Susan Hale and her husband Thomas Lively of Heath, four grandchildren; Justin Lively, Sherri Lively, Ernest Hale-Howe and Matthew Hale-Howe, as well as several nieces and nephews.

     Catherine was the senior member of 4 different family groups of 5 generations.

     She was predeceased by her husband Ernest in 1969, her daughter Lori Hale in 2013, and her siblings; George, Edward, Ernest, Henry, Wilfred, Joseph, Walter, Eva Currier, Margarete Baily, and Leona Vagel.  

     Visiting hours will be Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 40 Church St., Shelburne Falls.

     A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, May 4, at 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Church, 34 Monroe Ave., Shelburne Falls. Burial will follow in West Branch Cemetery in Colrain.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 34 Monroe Ave., Shelburne falls, MA 01370 or Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Greenfield, MA 01301  

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