Sister Catherine Davis, SNDdeN

June 22, 2017

Notre Dame Sister Catherine Davis died May 12. Sister Catherine, 78, had been diagnosed in 2014 with ALS, the neurodegenerative disease that was also the cause of death for her grandfather, father, Kenneth Davis, and her brother, Timothy.

Sister Catherine entered the Notre Dame novitiate in 1957. “In 1973, she began her ‘perfect job’ of being the full-time credentialed librarian at Notre Dame Elementary School in Belmont – and stayed for 39 years,” the sisters said in a statement.

Sister Dolores Quigg, who was principal at the school for most of those years, described Sister Catherine as masterful at finding books to match each child’s interest or needs. “Students were convinced that Sister Catherine had read all 5,000 books in the library,” the sisters said.

“In the final chapter of Sister Catherine’s life, she received loving care at Mercy Retirement and Care Center, in Oakland,” the sisters said. “The courage and grace she showed in dealing with this debilitating disease was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.” She cheered enthusiastically for the Warriors and 49ers and remained loyal to the Dodgers, whom she had supported since her years of teaching in Los Angeles, the sisters said.

A funeral Mass was celebrated June 14 at Cunningham Chapel at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont with interment at Mission Santa Clara Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, 1520 Ralston Ave., Belmont 94002.