Ann Arbor, MI, formerly of Chelsea, MI and Green Valley, AZ, age 95, died Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Brookdale Senior Living in Ann Arbor MI. She was born December 18, 1925 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Stephen Edward James & Ethel Sarah (Shaw) Rondon. She worked for Leo Burnett Advertising Company from March 1, 1954 to December 30, 1988 in the accounting (Petty Cash) department. Catherine was a member of the Kiwanis club in Chelsea, where she was a George F. Hixson Fellow. Two of her favorite things to do were to golf and travel with her friends. You may even have seen our Aunt Catherine on the back of a Harley Motorcycle driven by her nephew along with her niece right behind them on her Harley. She would be picked up at her home in Chelsea for a fun filled day of site seeing and traveling the open roads. To end their day they would stop for a relaxing meal. Catherine enjoyed needlepoint and gardening. She was a member of St. Mary Church, Chelsea.
Catherine’s grandfather had bought the “Farm” which is located on Waterloo and Bush Rd. in Chelsea during the depression. Her parents moved the family to the Farm where her baby sister Josephine was born. Catherine and Lorraine attended the one room school house that was located on Waterloo Rd. At the tender age of 10, she helped her Dad study for his US citizenship in 1935.
Catherine was preceded in death by her husband Edward John Payne in 1992. She is survived by her sister Josephine Bals of Redford, MI; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law Lorraine and LeRoy Fulcher.
Burial will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Kiwanis Club of Chelsea, PO Box 61, Chelsea, MI 48118. A special thank you to Brookdale associates for taking such excellent care of our Aunt Catherine. It was truly appreciated by her family. Arrangements entrusted by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.
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