Catherine Auster

Catherine Auster, 86, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. She was born on November 4, 1936, to Rosalie Biondo Ragusa and Pasquale Ragusa, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Catherine is a graduate of Dominican High School in New Orleans. She is also an alumni of LSU, where she majored in education. Upon graduation, she embarked upon a career as a first-grade teacher. Catherine chose to leave teaching school in order to focus full time on family life and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was a devout Catholic who was active in parish life. Catherine taught Catechism (CCD classes) for several years and was a member of the Divine Mercy Society.
She enjoyed maintaining a garden and had a green thumb for nurturing plant life. She had a passion for craft and sewing as well. Catherine even designed and fabricated her daughter, Marlene's, wedding dress.
Survivors include her son, Mark Auster of Beaumont; daughter, Marlene Reich and her husband, Russell, of Vidor; sister, Frances Ragusa of Beaumont; grandchildren, Christopher Auster and his wife, Carrie, of Bridge City; Holli Novak and her husband, Nick; and Allie Reich, all of Vidor; great-grandchildren, Chloé Doyle and Madeleine Doyle, both of Bridge City and Blakely Novak and Palmer Novak, both of Vidor; niece, Mary Susan Ragusa Ahrens of California, Maryland; and great-nephew, Wade Mahaffey of Lusby, Maryland.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert M. Auster; parents; sister, Providence Ragusa; brother, Dominick Ragusa; and sisters, Jacqueline Ragusa and Virginia Ragusa.
A Rosary for Mrs. Auster will be recited at 4:00 p.m., with a gathering of her family and friends to follow until 6:30 p.m., Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 27, 2023, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Birthright of Beaumont, 2626 Calder Avenue, Suite 201, Beaumont, Texas 77702 or St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church for Divine Mercy, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706.