Kathleen Masty

"Kathleen Masty" VULCAN ? Kathleen M. Masty, 78, of 147 Central Blvd, Vulcan, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Aug 7, 2003, after a courageous battle with cancer. Kathleen was born on Jan 26, 1925, in Norway, daughter of the late John and Kathleen (Grogan) Girard. She graduated from Vulcan High School in 1943. Kathleen studied at Wayne State University and Northern Michigan University and graduated from Detroit Harper Hospital School of Nursing. She married Albert Masty on Aug 10, 1946 at St. Barbara's Catholic Church in Vulcan. Kathleen began her professional career as a school nurse at Miami of Ohio University while her husband completed his education. The couple spent two years in Chicago before returning to the Norway-Vulcan area. In 1951, Kathleen became one of the original members of the Iron Mountain Veterans Administration Medical Center nursing staff. Part of her time at the VA Hospital was spent as head nurse of the 4 West Ward. After working for 10 years, she "retired" to raise a family. She resumed her nursing career in 1963. Kathleen spent 21 years as director of Anderson Memorial Hospital in Norway. She retired in 1986, leaving her position as vice president of operations at Anderson Memorial Hospital after two decades of service to the Dickinson County Hospitals. Her philosophy of health care throughout her career was "to give the very best possible care to her patients." Her success was measured in the esteem, respect, and affection in which she was held by her colleagues, co-workers, and most of all, her patients. She was a member of St. Barbara's Church in Vulcan and Our Savior's Catholic Church in Cocoa Beach, Fla. She and her husband, Al, were very active in both parishes, serving as Eucharistic ministers, lector, and ministering to shut-ins. She was also a member of the Legion of Mary, the Rosary Cenacle, the Daughters of Isabella and the Holy Spirit Association. She was an active hospice nurse for many years. Kathleen was preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Jacquelyn and Lee Cook, in 1999. Kathleen is survived by Albert, her loving husband of 57 years; a daughter, Micki (Peter) Bilski of Spring Lake, lower Michigan; two sons, Tim (Terry) Masty of Atlanta, Ga. and Mark (Jonelle) Masty of Flower Mound, Texas; one sister, Adeline (Don) St. Arnauld of Newberry; eight grandchildren, Shannyn (Joseph) Caldwell, Ryan (Shannon) Cook, Matt (Amy) Bilski, Christi (Jon) Brule, Andy Bilski, Jonathan James Masty, Lauren Masty, and Rachel Masty; three great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Maxwell, and Liam; numerous nieces and nephews; an beloved family friends, Marge Johnson and Mary Beth Hodapp. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday, Aug 11 at St. Barbara's Catholic Church in Vulcan. A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug 11 at the St. Barbara's Catholic Church. Fr. William Callari, Fr. Mark McQuesten, and Fr. Joseph Gouin will con-celebrate the memorial Mass. Interment will be in the Norway Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: The Carmelite Sisters, Holy Spirit School in Norway, or to St. Barbara's Restoration Fund. Condolences may be expressed online to the Masty family at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Kathleen Masty

August 7, 1925 - August 7, 2003