Sister Catherine Van Houten (Richard Anne), 66, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph in her 49th year in the community, died on January 12, 2014. Born in Chicago, IL she was the daughter of Richard and Anna (Murphy) Van Houten. Sister Catherine entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Holy Name Parish, Springfield, Mass. She was graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass., and a M.A. from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn.
Sister Catherine taught at St. Mark’s School, Pittsfield and Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament Schools, Holyoke. She also taught at Holyoke Catholic High School before becoming Principal of St. Matthew School, Indian Orchard. Sister was an Administrator at St. Bridget School, Manchester, Conn. She subsequently served in the Catholic schools of the Bridgeport Diocese as religious educator and librarian. She was a spiritual director, offering private direction, programs and retreats, often in conjunction with Mercy Center at Madison, Madison, Conn. An accomplished potter, Sister Catherine was a member of Wesleyan Potters in Connecticut; she was to become President of the organization in the near future.
In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her siblings, Adrienne Bagnall of Wilmington, N.C., Rita Van Houten of Orlando, Fla., Jon Van Houten of Easthampton, Mass., and Steven Van Houten of Jaffrey, N.H.