KEWANEE — Former teacher and longtime Visitation Catholic School supporter Catherine Berry is the school’s Honorary Giant this year.
The former Catherine VanBrandeghen, a 1963 Visitation graduate, began her career as a teacher at the school after attending Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa.
At first, she said, she was a CCD teacher. When the third-grade teacher, Mrs. Ratcliffe, left, Berry asked the school principal, Sister Eileen, if she could fill the position.
Sister Eileen agreed, and Catherine taught third grade for three years and second grade for a year.
Eventually she decided to go back to Marycrest to take a couple of courses. She still needed to do her student teaching, but never did; instead, she got married, and her teaching career ended.
Catherine and her husband, Mike Berry, continued to support Visitation, however. Both of their children (Jeff and Rebecca) attended the school, with Jeff graduating in 1992 and Rebecca with the school’s 100th graduating class in 1996.
Being a Catholic school parent means volunteering in school activities. Mike worked in the school’s bingo program and Catherine was among the first to work on a booth for the school’s annual Christmas bazaar — something she continued to do until a few years ago.
Today Catherine volunteers at Visitation, helping kindergarten students with reading. She and Mike are also members of the St. John Paul II Parish folk group.
Catherine expressed surprise at being chosen for the honor.
“Teaching at Visitation was a great experience,” she said, “and I think the school has continued to get even better. It’s because of the efforts of the pastor, the principal, the teachers, the parents — and of course, the wonderful students.”
Visitation teacher Janelle Gibson offered this quote that she feels applies to Catherine:
“A person's most useful asset is not a head full of knowledge, but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen and a hand willing to help others.” (author unknown)
Catherine’s family has attended Visitation Catholic School for four generations. Her mother, Mary VanBrandeghen, attended, and Jeff’s children, Noah and Ella, are fifth- and first-graders, respectively.
She will be honored at a Mass at 1 p.m. and a reception at 2 p.m. on Feb. 2, during Catholic Schools Week.
Past recipients of the Honorary Giant Award at Visitation are:
2005     The Dominican Sisters - taught @ Visitation for over 64 years
2006     Mr. Bernie Labedis - longtime custodian @ Visitation
2007     Mr. Al Padilla - longtime supporter of Visitation
2008     Visitation Grade & High School former coaches through 1976
2009     Mr. Jerry Salisbury - coach 1977-2003
2010     Joan & Clarence Clary, and Margaret & Francis Rinella
2011     Initial Board of Directors of Visitation School Foundation
2012     Mrs. Karen McNeill - Girl's basketball & volleyball coach
2013     Greg Ahlgren - Girl's basketball coach & longtime supporter of Visitation
2014     Marcia Gleeson - Visitation Catholic School Principal
2015     Dee Seyller - longtime supporter of Visitation
2016     Jeanne DeConinck - longtime supporter of Visitation
2017     Vanessa Fite & Michele Wentworth - Dedicated teachers @ Visitation