Catherine Mae Ovington

Catherine Mae Ovington of Schoolcraft, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at the age of 94. Catherine was born on April 27, 1929, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late Verne and Catherine (Hoff) Reynolds.

Surviving Catherine are her children, Michael (Susan) Ovington and Patricia (Rod) Dekema; grandchildren, Heidi Ishmael, Maureen Ovington, and Kathryn (Drew) Evans; great-grandchildren, Ian and Caeleb Ishmael, Greyson and Hazel Evans; siblings Mary Thomas and Leo (Bette) Reynolds; brother-in-law, Richard Collins; and many nieces and nephews.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Verne and Catherine Reynolds, husband, Richard Ovington, and siblings, Velma Judkins, Elnora Welda, Verne Reynolds Jr, Marion Collins, and Naomi Underwood.

It was Richard, her high school sweetheart, that she married and started her family. Mom was very active in her children’s lives. While balancing the difficult job of running the household, she managed to be very involved in the local elementary school PTA, and she became a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Girl Scout leader. She was very close to her siblings, which resulted in many visits to our grandparent's house that often ended with pot lucks along with the visit. As her sibling’s families grew and moved to various states, they would gather once a year for a reunion, alternating between the west and mid-west. In the later years, the siblings that were local would get together once a month for lunch, card playing, and dessert (of course). She decided to enter the work force in the mid 60’s and became a baker with Northeastern Junior High; she embraced this work and developed long lasting friendships with her fellow kitchen ladies. She was well liked and respected by the entire staff…there was not a person that she did not like and the feelings were reciprocated. She retired from this work after 24 years to join her husband in retirement. She was born to be a grandmother and loved her grandchildren unconditionally. She attended all their events from sports, band concerts, dance recitals, horse shows at Kal Val, horse barrel racing events, St. Joseph County Fair events, and the list goes on. She treasured the time spent with the grandkids and great-grandkids who referred to her as GG. There were many sleepovers, game playing, cookie baking, and anything else that was fun. She lost her husband at 69 years of age, and after a mourning period, she adjusted to her new life. She was very involved in the Schoolcraft Senior Center and the Ladies Library, and again, developed a large friend base that lasted many years. Although she was not an avid traveler, she would go on trips when asked and always had a great time. She rode roller coasters at Disney World (some of which the grandkids would not ride) when she was in her 80’s. Also, in her late 80’s, she was known to ask for a motorcycle ride on her son’s Harley. She was a great mom and role model to us all, and in view of this, we would like to celebrate a life well lived. She will be missed, but her legacy will live on. We take comfort in knowing that she has joined her husband, parents, and siblings in a better place and we are sure a reunion is taking place.

A visitation and celebration of life will take place at the First Presbyterian Church Westminster Hall in Schoolcraft from 4 PM to 7 PM on Sunday, September 24, 2023. A private graveside service will be held at 11 AM for family members on Monday, September 25, 2023 at Mt. Everest Cemetery Chapel South, Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made in Catherine’s honor to the First Presbyterian Church of Schoolcraft, Michigan, or the Southwest Michigan Miracle League. To view Catherine’s personalized guestbook, please visit https://www.langelands.com.