Catherine A. Nolan

Catherine Ann (Colleran) Nolan, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, passed away on Friday, September 6th, at the age of 87 years old after battling dementia.

As the daughter of Irish immigrants Catherine loved sharing her Irish heritage with all she met and especially her children and grandchildren. An award-winning Irish step dancer, she danced with her sisters when she was young and frequently when the opportunity arose at family gatherings and St. Patrick Day celebrations. Her ritual visits to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for the last decades have now been fully adopted by many of her children and grandchildren.

Born and raised in New York City, Catherine grew up in the same apartment complex in the Bronx as the man she would marry, Tom. Catherine and Tom’s families attended Sacred Heart School and Church together in the Bronx.   Catherine fondly remembered working in Rockefeller Center for Esso Export Corporation after graduating high school in the late 50’s and early 60’s prior to starting her family with her husband Tom.

As devout Catholics, Catherine and Tom immersed themselves in their Catholic parishes, neighborhoods and family throughout their lives and Catherine continued doing so after Tom’s passing in 1983.  Catherine and Tom made many states their family’s home; they befriended parishioners and neighbors from New York, New York to Silver Springs, Maryland to Indianapolis, Indiana to Trumbull, Connecticut and finally North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Catherine was a longtime member of Our Lady of Mercy Church in East Greenwich and was welcomed into the Parish community when Tom died shortly after moving to Rhode Island.  After raising five children, she engaged herself in service to the community, Parish and neighbors. A volunteer for more than 30 years at McAuley House in Providence, she served as a board member of McAuley House and was a strong supporter of the establishment of McAuley Village.

Catherine enjoyed Rhode Island life and frequented the South County beaches with her friends and family often bringing Cheetos and Kool Aide - favorites of her grandchildren.  She loved spending time at Beavertail State Park in Jamestown on hot summer days, playing scrabble, and watching TV with family.  Catherine’s legacy is an appreciation for faith and family. Her home provided cherished memories for many.

Catherine was an avid investor and started an investment club in Indianapolis called the Tuesday Tens to educate members in the fundamentals of sound investment practice.  She loved learning about and teaching investing in the stock market. She included friends from church and the neighborhood in the clubs and continued the activity when she moved to Rhode Island.

Catherine is predeceased by her husband Thomas Nolan, her sisters Eileen Nolan and Maureen Weyrauch (Arthur), and her parents Beatrice (Hogan) and Patrick Colleran.  She is survived by her brother in law Gene Nolan and children Cathy Barry (Bill), Thomas Nolan (Bettina), Patty McGovern (Cahil), Eileen Doot (Greg) and Mary Ellen Speights (Jim).  Her grandchildren Bill Barry Jr., Melissa (Barry) George (Manoj), Allison Barry, Kevin Barry; Thomas Nolan Jr. and John Henry Nolan; James McGovern, Maura McGovern and Liam McGovern; Ray Doot and Colleen (Doot) Illsely (Nathanael) and; Ben Speights and Maddy Speights and great grandchild, Mason George.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday September 13th at 11:00 am at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, School St., North Kingstown, RI. Burial will be held on Saturday September 14th at 11:30 am in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Val Halla, New York. Calling hours: Thursday September 12th from 4-7 pm at the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich, RI. In lieu of flowers donations in Catherine’s honor may be made to: The McAuley House at: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/McauleyCorporation/makeagift.html or send checks to: McAuley House, P.O. Box 73195, Providence, RI, 02907 and indicate: McAuley Village.