Catherine M. Derby, 55, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016.

Catherine was born in Manchester on Sept. 15, 1960, the daughter of Thomas J. Derby Sr. of Camden, Maine, and the late Margaret "Peggy Anne" Brault Derby, of Manchester.

Catherine was a graduate of East Catholic High School, Manchester, in 1978, and of St. Joseph College, West Hartford, in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. She enjoyed an active insurance career, managing financial operations for multiple Fortune 500 companies. She had a lifelong passion for literature and art. Catherine also loved music, dancing, her cats (she rescued and cared for many), and attending sporting events. She was known for enthusiastically supporting her Reds, Bearcats, Huskies, and Whalers.

Catherine, one of nine children, is survived by four brothers and two sisters, Kevin Derby and Noreen, of Manchester, Susan and John Pouliot, of Windsor, Dr. Mary Derby, of Tucson Arizona, Patrick Derby, of East Windsor, Timothy Derby and Rebecca, of Ellington, and Michael Derby and Cheryl, of Marietta, Georgia. Catherine is also survived by several nieces and nephews; her boyfriend, John Nare; and best friend, Michael Brundjar. In addition to her mother, her brothers Brendan and Tom predeceased her.

Her gentle, kind, fun-loving ways, as well as her distinctive boisterous laugh and giant smile, will be very much missed by all who knew her. She will be remembered as a loyal friend and family member, with a kind and generous heart.

A spring funeral is planned in Manchester, where she will be laid to rest.

Calling hours will be held Friday, April 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St., Manchester.

Her funeral service will begin Saturday, April 16, at 9 a.m. at Tierney Funeral Home, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. James Church, 896 Main St., Manchester, and interment in the family plot at St. James Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Margaret B. Derby Scholarship fund at St. Joseph University, or the Humane Society.

To share memories of Catherine, please visit

www.tierneyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Journal Inquirer from Mar. 3 to Mar. 7, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Catherine Derby

15 Entries

Lou Ann

September 15, 2017

Happy Birthday sweet Catherine. Just thinking of you today on your birthday. Miss you.

September 17, 2016

Hey Catherine I pray for you everyday, and even though we moved
before your passing, I will always remember the fun times we had
at 4th and Plum dancing and singing to all the music from our time.

Think of you fondly.

Mary Mc Nay

May 9, 2016

April 16, 2016

My Catherine, I was so very fortunate to have spent the last five years with you. You have made me so much of a better person thru the life fe experiences we shared, you are so loving and so loved. My heart is of such loss,that I will never be the same. I consider myself to be the luckiest person in the world for the short time we shared. I feel your presence with me in every waking hour and in my dreams. Without you I am but a shell of a human being lost and alone with no purpose or direction. When I sleep I feel the warmth of your body and your loving touch. I know that I will never find another, you completed my life the way that I have only dreamed of. Thank you with all my heart, I love you, John

Michael Brundjar

April 14, 2016

My dearest Catherine. You are missed. I miss that laugh that we all know. I miss fixing things for you. I miss winning Jeopardy against you. I miss being able to write as my final answer..."i dont know the answer... but i know Catherine Derby doesn't know it either.". :-) that was my favorite. My best bud. My dear devoted friend. I love you and miss you.

Nancy Clerke

March 11, 2016

To Tom and the kids - Susan, Mary, Kevin, Patrick, Tim and Michael, I am so sorry for your loss of Catherine. I send my love and sympathy to all of you. So many memories of your family and mine: Watching the parades go by at the foot of Park St. - cookouts in your back yard - dinner around your table - watching your Christmas movies every year - Don so at home on your couch. Which ones of you slept on our living room floor during the ice storm? I remember Catherine as a baby, her hips in a cast, and that terrible day years later, when I sat for such a long time holding her on the couch after that accident. I loved your mother. She was my friend, and her picture is still on my bed-side table. I pray for peace and healing for all of you. Hold on to the Lord and He will see you through. Blessings, Nancy Clerke

Barbara labrec

March 10, 2016

From 1 big family to another my deepest condolences on your loss. You are all in my prayers.
Barbara Flannery LaBrec

M. Bryant

March 10, 2016

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Annie Horne

March 10, 2016

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

March 7, 2016

To Tom Sr., Our sincere sympathy goes out to you on the loss of your dear Catherine. We can only remember that sweet little girl so many years ago.
Rick and Sue Morrison
Jensen Beach, FL

Lou Ann Gerard

March 5, 2016

Catherine I will miss you my friend. You touched my life. I enjoyed working with you, hanging out with you, shopping together, and catching up with you. I am sad that you passed away way too soon. God bless you and keep you dear Catherine. You will be missed more than you know.
Love you,
Lou Ann

Derby family, I am sorry for the loss of your daughter, sister, cousin, aunt. Catherine had a kind and gentle heart. She was s good friend to many. She will be missed.

Kathy Mason Wills

March 5, 2016

Dear Catherine,

May you rest in peace. I am so happy and thankful to have met, laughed and spent time with you! Many memorable moments with you!

My condolences to the family and friends - especially John and Michael Brundjar. She loved you dearly.

Kathy Mason Wills

Lisa Czapla-Michaud

March 4, 2016

Cathy and I went to East Catholic together. She was a friendly, patient person and I enjoyed our time together. She turned me on to fried bologna and tomato soup w/mozzarella. Even thou we haven't been in touch, every time I cook up tomato soup I remember our high school days together. May she rest in peace. Condolences to her family.

Sharon O'Connor

March 3, 2016

Catherine and I worked together at Travelers in the good old days. We often car pooled together and shared great times in and out of the office. My sincere condolences to the family.

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