Catherine Madden, homemaker, born November 25, 1919, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, eleventh of thirteen children, died peacefully on July 9, 2011, surrounded by much of her family. Catherine graduated from St. Anne's Academy and St. Edward's School of Nursing in Fort Smith. In 1941 she married William (Bill) Madden in Fort Smith and moved to Tulsa where she resided for 70 years, with the exception of 6 years in Harlingen, Texas. She was a faithful and devoted member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for the last 65 years, where she served as church sacristan for 28 years. Catherine was a long-term member of the St. Francis Woman's Club as well as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Spring through fall, she could always be found outdoors where she found limitless pleasure working in her vegetable and flower gardens. As a fervent nature lover she always made time to make sure many bird feeders were filled for her feathered friends. Her other hobbies included her love of music and literature, but most of all she loved spending time with her large family.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents Anne and William Corrotto, as well as ten of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by three sons: William II of Dacula, GA and wife Trisha (deceased); Joseph and wife Barb of Tulsa; and Robert and wife Johna of Broken Arrow, and six daughters: Elizabeth Benke and husband Charlie of Allentown, PA; Margaret Warren and husband Scott of Broken Arrow; Joan Pagano and husband Dennis of Tulsa; Theresa Shipman and husband John of Broken Arrow; Monica Lynn and husband Ken of Fleetwood, North Carolina; and Michelle Madden of Tulsa. She leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, brother Robert Corrotto, sister Imelda Cooksey and husband Chuck of Fort Smith, and brother-in-law Joe Madden of Dallas, TX.

Visitation will be 2:00 -5:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel. A vigil will be held for Catherine at 7:45 p.m., Tuesday, July 12 at St. Francis Church in Tulsa. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, at St. Francis Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Francis Xavier Church or St. John Hospice in Tulsa.

FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL (918) 585-1151.