Sister Catherine Bock
(Mary Gregor)
Born to earthly life: July 27, 1920
Religious profession: July 20, 1939
Entered eternal life: February 17, 2009
The day after a lunch outing with the Theresa Two Sisters, Sister Catherine Bock suffered a stroke and died five days later on Tuesday, February 17.
Catherine's father, Max Bock, was born in Prussia, Germany, and her mother, Anna Schimmel Bock, in Austria. Both had come with their parents to America when still children.
Max and Anna moved to a farm in Hewitt, Wisconsin, where Catherine was born on July 27, 1920. She was the second youngest of eight children, five girls and three boys. The first two children, Karl and Theodore died of the flu within the space of two weeks at ages two and four. In 1923, Loretta, her youngest sister, died when she was almost two years old.
Gertrude, (Sister LaSalette) her oldest sister, entered the convent in Milwaukee when Catherine was about five years old. Catherine wanted to follow in her sister's footsteps someday.
On September 3, 1934, Catherine entered the convent in Milwaukee as an aspirant. During her second year she received news that her parents were in a train accident. Her mother was seriously injured and her father was in very critical condition. He was unconscious for two days and died February 2, 1936.
When Catherine was received on July 18, 1938, she was given the name, Novice Mary Gregor. On her profession day, the following year, her mother came to see her and broke the news that she had been diagnosed with cancer. She had undergone some radium treatments, but without success. Her mother died on August 1, 1940.
Sister keenly felt the loss of both her parents when she was so young. The hymn "I Will Never Forget You" became very dear to her.
Sister Catherine began her teaching at St. Elizabeth in Milwaukee and also taught in a variety of grades in Indiana, Michigan, and other Wisconsin schools. In her work as a teacher, she always took an interest in the slow learners.
In January of 1973, Sister Catherine came to Notre Dame Health Care Center to do general work. In 1977 she began working for interfaith as a senior aide. Sister returned to Elm Grove as a patient in 1986 and stayed on to do volunteer work.
Sister, you were a faithful SSND for 70 years so now enjoy your Jubilee in heaven. May you rest in peace!
– Sister Mary Francita Orcholski
Sister Catherine served for 33 years as a teacher. In later years, she worked as a minister to the elderly. She retired to Notre Dame of Elm Grove in 1986 where she ministered as a volunteer and by her prayers and presence.
Her ministry locations were:
- St. Elizabeth, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Holy Angels, Gary, Indiana
- Cathedral, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- St. Joseph, Appleton, Wisconsin
- St. Charles Borromeo, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
- St. Francis Xavier, Superior, Wisconsin
- Holy Name Central, Escanaba, Michigan
- Notre Dame Health Care Center, Elm Grove, Wisconsin
- St. Anne, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- St. Augustine, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Retired, Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Click here to send a memorial online.