Catherine Mary Shippey was born on Sept. 18,1945, in McKinney, TX, to her proud mother, Joy Murphy. She later moved to California to attend the University of California, Berkley, where she earned a degree in Social Services. On June 14, 1971, she welcomed her beautiful daughter, Rachel Dencker. Catherine settled in Madera and devoted her career to the Madera County of Social Services until her retirement.
In her life, she found true love with Thomas Shippey, and they married on Feb. 14, 1982, enjoying 40 happy years together in their Madera home. Catherine was preceded in death by her mother, Joy; her daughter Rachel; her grandson Paul; and her loving husband, Tom. She is survived by her beloved stepchildren: Cory (Mark) Pierini-Latham, Toni (Michael) McMillin, Trudy (Jeff) Burke, and Tommy (Anna) Shippey, along with 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, May 31, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Merced, 459 W. 21st Street, Merced, CA.