Catherine E. Smalley

WORCESTER-Catherine E. (Fortune) Smalley, 98, died Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at the Jewish Healthcare Center. Catherine's family would like to thank the staff for the wonderful care they provided.

She was born in Shelton, CT, daughter of William and Helen (Hogan) Fortune where she lived until moving to Worcester at the age of eight. Catherine graduated from North High School and Worcester City Hospital Nursing School, and was an Army Veteran of WWII where she served as a Nurse. She worked at City Hospital for a short time and then UMass Memorial Hospital until retirement.

Catherine was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, and most recently attended St. Peter's Church. She was a member of the Vernon Hill American Legion Post, and was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross, Pernet Family Health Center and West Mountain Street Senior Center.

She was predeceased by her husband of over 25 years, Harold R. Smalley, Jr. in 1975. Catherine is survived by seven children; Joseph R. Smalley and his wife Susan of Leominster, William D. Smalley and his wife Jeanette of Daytona Beach, FL, Elizabeth M. Smalley of Sausalito, CA, Jane E. Smalley of San Francisco, CA, Richard J. Smalley of Worcester, James M. Smalley of Portsmouth, NH and Anne C. White of Columbus, GA. Catherine also leaves eight grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
Catherine was predeceased by three children, Harold R. Smalley, III, Mary C. Smalley and John Francis Smalley, a grandson, Joseph R. Smalley, Jr. and two sisters, Eleanor Fortune and Margaret Parker.

Visiting hours are Sunday, October 17th from 2pm until 5pm at Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 18th at 10am at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales Street. Burial with Army Funeral Honors will follow at St. John's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Catherine's memory may be made to The Mary Catherine Smalley Memorial Scholarship at Worcester State University. Checks should be made payable to the Worcester State Foundation, Inc. and in the memo field indicate The Mary Catherine Smalley Memorial Scholarship, In Memory of Catherine E. Smalley. Donations may be mailed to the Division of University Advancement, Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602 or visit https://alumni.worcester.edu/smalleyscholarship or the Vernon Hill American Legion Post 435, Renovation Fund 267 Providence St, Worcester, MA 01607 or to Jewish Healthcare Center, In Memory of Catherine E. Smalley, 629 Salsibury St., Worcester, MA 01609 or by visiting www.jhccenter.org