Sister Catherine Zajac, (11/15/1950), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Mass. on June 19, 2023. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Edward and Mary Jane (Dibble) Zajac, Jr.
Sister Catherine entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Jerome Parish, Holyoke in 1969. She was graduated from Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke. She earned an Associate’s degree from Holyoke Community College and a B.S. in elementary education from (then) North Adams State College. She received a Home Health Aide Certificate from AnderCare, Inc., Springfield.
She was an elementary teacher at St. Agnes, Dalton and St. Mary’s, Westfield. She was a Home Health Aide for Ander-Care, Inc. and the Visiting Nurses Association of Longmeadow, as well as the Hospice of Pioneer Valley. She was also a Lifeline Assistant for the Sisters of Providence Healthcare System. She served the Sisters of St. Joseph as an appointment scheduler and driver, and as a switchboard operator.
In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Catherine is survived by her siblings, Mary Elizabeth Zajac, MSgt (ret) Karin Zajac, LtCol(ret) Thomas (Catalina) Zajac and Ann Torres, with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She also leaves an aunt, Elizabeth St. Laurent of Chicopee. In addition to her parents, Sister was predeceased by a sister, Carol Weymouth.
All services for Sr. Catherine will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, Mass. on Friday, June 23, 2023. She will be waked from 9:00 AM with a prayer service at 9:30 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.