Catherine McNiven

McNIVEN, Catherine A. (Hritz) Of Flint, age 91, died Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at Avalon Hospice. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 2:00PM Friday, December 12, 2008 at St. Mary Queen of the Angels Catholic Church, 4413 Morrish Rd, Swartz Creek, Rev. Steve Mattson celebrant. Burial will follow in New Calvary Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-8PM on Thursday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek. A rosary will be prayed at 7:30 PM. Catherine was born August 11, 1917 in DeLancey, PA to Stephen and Mary (Marzonie) Hritz. The family moved to Flint in 1925. Catherine married Daniel J. McNiven on June 15, 1940. They were founding member of St. Lukes parish. World travelers, they went as far as Hawaii and Dubai, and many places in between. Catherine loved fishing, dancing, novels and crossword puzzles. She was always glad to catch up with her Hritz, Marzonie, Graham and Lloyd cousins. She instilled in all her children a sense of curiosity, a love of reading and a love for one another that they have passed on to the younger generations. Her greatest pride was that her large family enjoyed being together, especially at the McNiven Christmas parties that she established in the 60s. As a source of unconditional love, she taught us all the true meaning of family values. Survived by husband, Daniel, children James (Jane) of Halifax, Nova Scotia; George (Debora) of Sandusky, MI; Douglas (Dolores) of Edmond, OK; Kathleen (David) Pollak of Dexter, MI; Timothy of Columbus, OH; nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Also survived by brother, Thomas Hritz, of Jackson, MI. Preceded in death by brother George Hritz and sisters Mary Wierzbinski and Helena Biniek. The family would like to thank Drs. Guttscher and Hak and their wonderful staffs, as well as the nurses and aides at Avalon Hospice and Homecare for taking such good care of Catherine. Those desiring may make donations to Hospice.