Catherine R. Brodeur

Catherine R. Brodeur 1927-2010 SOUTHWICK- Catherine R. (Reckart) Brodeur, 82, of Southwick and formerly of Holyoke, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, January 3, 2010 in Mercy Medical Center. She was born in Los Angeles, CA on May 6, 1927 a daughter of the late John and Catherine (Burns) Reckart. Catherine was predeceased by her husband, Raymond R. Brodeur on August 3, 2002. She is survived by her children, George Brodeur and his wife Deborah of Longmeadow, Arthur Brodeur of Holyoke, Anne Barsalou and her husband Robert of Westfield, Martha Brodeur of West Springfield, and Frances Brodeur of Brooklyn, NY; seven grandchildren, Rebeckah, Michelle, Renee, Justin, Simon, Charles, and Christian; and four great-grandchildren, Miranda, Marissa, Mateo, and Brody. Catherine was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke. She attended school in Worcester, MA and graduated from Bartlett High School in Webster, MA. Catherine was a nationally recognized artist listed in Who�s Who in American Art, Who�s Who in the East and Who�s Who of American Women. She painted portraits, figure studies, still life and urban landscapes in oil and pastel. Catherine�s paintings have received numerous awards and are in many distinguished collections, public and private, here in the United States and in many countries abroad. In 1980, Catherine was elected to become an official artist for the United States Coast Guard and traveled to many parts of this country, on assignment, painting the military in action. Catherine served in this capacity for eleven years, retiring in 1991, in order to devote her time fully to studio painting. Catherine�s permanent collection include: Permanent Naval Art Collection, Washington, DC, former First National Bank of Boston, Boston, MA, former Bay Bank Valley, Springfield, MA, Hamden County Medical Associates, Springfield, MA, Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT, and St. Gregory�s Armenian Church, Indian Orchard, MA. Funeral services for Catherine will be held on Thursday, January 7th beginning at 9 a.m. from the Messier Funeral Home, 1944 Northampton St., with a Liturgy of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, Northampton St., with Rites of Committal and burial to follow in St. Jerome Cemetery., Northampton St., all in Holyoke. Catherine�s family will receive relatives and friends at the calling hours on Wednesday, January 6th from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Catherine�s memory to Brightside for Families & Children, 2112 Riverdale St., West Springfield, MA 01089. For directions or online guestbook, please visit www.messierfuneralhome.com .