Sister Nicholas Catrambone, BVM
Sister Nicholas “Nic” Catrambone, BVM, 85, died Monday, July 12, 2021, at Mount Carmel Bluffs in Dubuque, Iowa.
Funeral services were Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Burial is in the Mount Carmel Cemetery.
She was born April 8, 1936, in Chicago to Nicholas and Theresa Catrambone. She entered the BVM congregation on Sept. 8, 1954, from St. Callistus parish, Chicago. She professed first vows on March 19, 1957, and final vows on July 16, 1962.
Sister Nic taught at St. Patrick Elementary School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She served as an elementary teacher in Chicago and Cicero, Ill.; and a secondary teacher in Clinton, Iowa; Clarksdale, Miss.; Detroit; Kansas City, Mo.; and Memphis, Tenn. She worked in prison ministry in Clarksdale, and Memphis, where she also volunteered at soup kitchens.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Anthony, Joseph (Thelma), Eugene, and Arthur Catrambone; and sisters Tessie (Ralph) Galluzzi and Kay (Dominic) Belmonte. She is survived by a sister, Letty Catrambone, Oak Park, Ill.; sisters-in-law Mary Catrambone, Westlake Village, Calif., and Terri Catrambone, Oak Park, Ill.; nieces, nephews and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 66 years.
Memorials may be given to Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003 or make an online gift.
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Sometimes the strongest women are the ones who love beyond all faults, cry behind closed doors, and fight battles that no one knows about. Sister Nic…. Auntie Rita… a remarkable women and special Aunt.
Love you, Val
There are not enough words to explain the impact Sr. Nic had on my and the multitude of other’s lives. Nic was a rare human being and in addition had an amazing sense of humor. Nic was the first to lend a healing and helping hand in times of hurt and sorrow, she also was known to use 4 letter words as she raised hell against any who caused deliberate harm. I love you and miss you Sr. Nic, always. Thank you for all you have done.
Sometimes, even though we know it’s coming, the reality is just as hard. Sr. Nic, a favorite in our family, was informally adopted and named “Janica”, to fit in our “J” naming convention. I know we gave her an “A” middle name but just can’t remember it. Anyway, Nic became our 8th sister. That’s how we loved her. Jackie and Nic would frequently stop at my home in Lake Saint Louis en-route to or from Mt Carmel. How I enjoyed those short but wonderful stays. Nic was a joy, always smiling. May she make all the souls in heaven smile and laugh with her stories. We will see you again one day, Nic.
Sister Mary Nic. will be missed. She was truly a dedicated worker for the Lord. I am glad her and I crossed paths in this life.