Catherine Viola Pisha nee Shepherd, aged 88 years old, passed away peacefully on

November 7, 2023, at Alden Courts of Shorewood. She was born April 12, 1935, in

Joplin, Missouri. Catherine was the loving wife of Benjamin C. Pisha, who passed away

in 2016, and they were married on August 15, 1959.

Cherished Mother of Deborah (Richard) Deal, Andrew (Xai) Pisha, and Emily (Scott)

Pittman. Devoted Grandmother of Carolyn Deal, Matheu (Tamarah) Pisha, Joshua

Pisha, Maureen Pisha, Henry Pisha, Benjamin Pisha, and one great-granddaughter

Nora Pisha.

Loving sister to June Brown, Raymond Shepherd, and Howard (Jane) Shepherd. Fond

aunt to numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews across the

country.

Preceded in death by her parents Ray E. and Irene (Moutrey) Shepherd, her loving

husband of 57 years Benjamin C. Pisha, and great-granddaughter Persephone Irene

Pisha, as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Catherine grew up in Plainfield and Crest Hill, Illinois. She graduated from Lockport

Township High School District 205, Northern Illinois University (BSE), and Olivet

Nazarene University (MAE). She was a sixth-grade teacher in Lemont, IL before her

marriage and stayed home to raise their three children. She returned to teaching

elementary school with Joliet Grade School District 86. She taught at F. E. Marsh

School and then Pershing Elementary School before retiring in 1994. Following

retirement, she tutored several children in her neighborhood.

Catherine and Benjamin were world travelers and visited Israel and several countries in

Europe and South America. While their children were young, the family spent the

summers traveling around the United States in the camper Benjamin built from panel

vans. Many good (and not-so-good) memories were had as the family motored from sea

to shining sea.

Catherine was an avid reader, knitter, and embroiderer, and enjoyed hosting the coffee

clutch of neighborhood friends twice a month. She was a die-hard Chicago Cubs and

Chicago Bears fan and would sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "Bear Down Chicago

Bears" with gusto. As her memory faded, she would perk up if anyone

mentioned the Chicago Cubs. Her favorite Cubs player was Ron Santo and Bears

player was Walter Payton.

Catherine accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and is now in heaven worshiping at the

throne of God with those who went before her. She attended Bethel Baptist Church for

many years and Faith Bible Church in Joliet, Illinois. She was involved in many

ministries at church including Christian Ed., Woman's Ministry, Choir, Mission

Commission, Crafty Ladies, and was chief baby-wrangler in the nursery. She sang with

the Easter Choir at the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet for several years. Catherine was

an early member of the Christian Youth Center when it was in a storefront on Jefferson

Street in Joliet. Later, she encouraged her children to attend the CYC under the

direction of Harv Russell. She was also a member of the Joliet Retired Teachers

Association.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Faith Bible Church.