SINSINAWA — Sr. Catherine Rita Palmisano, OP, died April 17, 2016 at the Dominican Motherhouse. Her religious name was Sr. Thomasina. The funeral Mass was held in the Gathering Place Chapel at Sinsinawa April 21, 2016, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sr. Catherine made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Aug. 31, 1949, and her final profession Aug. 31, 1952. She was a dedicated educator, teaching elementary and intermediate grades for 49 years and serving as administrative assistant for six years. She spent a year as a family caregiver and volunteered for eight years. Sister Catherine lived her entire religious life ministering in Illinois and Wisconsin.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sr. Catherine ministered in family care at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 2010-2011.
Sr. Catherine was born Feb. 21, 1930, in Champaign, Ill., the daughter of John and Augusta (Gentille) Palmisano. Her parents; a sister, Sr. Theresa Ann Palmisano, OP; and four brothers, Charles Palmisano, John Palmisano, Michael Palmisano, and Francis Palmisano, preceded her in death. She is survived by a sister, Mary Spradley; nieces; nephews; and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared life for 66 years.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or online at www.sinsinawa.org by clicking on “Donate Now,” then “Honor and Memorial Gift.”
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Catherine are available online at www.Sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.