Catherine Ruth Morris
Catherine Ruth Morris (Dupuis) passed away peacefully on the afternoon of November 26, 2017.
Born on January 23, 1921 in Vancouver, BC, Catherine spent her younger years living in Quebec and then Oregon where her father took a job working in management at a paper mill. After high school, Catherine went to St Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Montreal, Canada and graduated in 1944. After moving to Santa Barbara in 1945, Catherine joined the U.S. Navy serving as a Registered Nurse. After the war, Catherine moved back to Santa Barbara and worked in a private medical office before finding her dream job as a labor and delivery nurse at St. Francis Hospital, Cottage Hospital and later Goleta Valley Hospital, retiring in 1985. She cherished the many relationships she developed with the young families she guided through the birthing experience, receiving Christmas cards and letters for many years later. Catherine also taught Natural Family Planning classes through St. Raphael Church.
Catherine met the love of her life Edmond (Eddie) saying it was “love at first sight” when her sister Rita introduced them. They were married in 1965. Catherine and Eddie enjoyed traveling together to Hawaii, Canada and seeing many parts of the United States pulling their travel trailer until Eddie’s sudden passing in 1999. Catherine always said that it was a very sad day when God took her “Sweet Eddie” from her, but she never questioned why, because of her strong faith she knew that they would be together again.
Catherine and Eddie never had children of their own but they were always there for family- to lend a helping hand, moral support and love- lots of love! At the end of every conversation with Catherine, she would always let you know how much she loved and appreciated you, whether you were family or a friend. She lived her life to the fullest with integrity, by the Golden Rule and with her strong faith in God.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Edmond; her sister, Rita Cowden (Jack); brother in laws, Fred Maurus (Virginia) and William (Margo); niece Carol Hanley; and nephews, Dan Dupuis and Frank Evans. She is survived by nieces, Barbara Agne Friends (Bob), Mary Evans, Beverly Morey (Dwight), William Morris (Becky); as well as five great nieces and nephews, William, Maria, and Dan Agne, and Shawn and Erin Morey.
Catherine’s family would like to thank the staff at Heritage House and Visiting Nurses & Hospice Care for the wonderful care and compassion given to her.
Services will include a Rosary on Saturday, Jan 6, 10am at Welch-Ryce-Haider Chapel, 450 Ward Dr, Goleta, CA and a Memorial Mass on Monday, Jan 8, 10am at St Raphael Church, 5444 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA.