Catherine A. PANIJAN

LAKE LINDEN - Catherine A. Dion, 97, passed away at Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center surrounded by her family, shortly after her arrival from Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey where she had been a patient for the past three weeks. She was born February 5, 1908, at 564 Cedar St., Calumet, daughter of George and Katherine (Klobucar) Panijan. She attended the Lincoln School on Pine Street in Calumet and fondly spoke of going to the Calumet & Hecla Library and attending dances held in the community. She and her friend, Frances (Jenich) Mohar, were employed at the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company Hospital on Calumet Avenue where they were responsible for the preparation of meals for the patients, doctors and nursing staff. Her employment there lasted eight years. On August 4, 1937, at St. Joseph Church in Calumet, presently St. Paul the Apostle, she was united in marriage to Jerome Joseph Dion of Lake Linden. After their marriage and until 1941, they resided at 200 Hecla St. in Laurium. From that time until the present, she lived in Lake Linden. In 1947, she moved to her present home at 708 Calumet St. In their married life, they both talked with affection of the great times they had with their family and friends.She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Linden and a lifetime member of St. Anne's Altar Society, serving on committees, most recently the funeral lunch committee. Her strong faith and most gentle personality was very visible as she faithfully attended mass every morning, regardless of the weather, always early to lead the Rosary for the parish community. Prayers were often asked for her family for certain petitions, as grandma prayed for everyone. She was a member of the neighborhood card club where the ladies gathered to play Bridge. She was a member of American Legion Post 90 Auxiliary and the local senior citizen centers. Her Slovenian heritage was always evident in the holiday baking of potica and after her marriage to Jerome, of French heritage, the famous pork pies. She was a loving mother to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome, on August 15, 1979; twin sister, Ann, at the age of 10 months; brothers, Peter, John (Angie) Panijan, Frank Panijan, Tony (Lillian) Panijan, and Joseph (Muriel) Panijan; a sister, Mary (Clyde) Johnson; and twin great-grandson, Anthony, on July 31, 2002.Surviving are six children, Barbara (William) Gariepy of Mohawk, Claudette (Gerald) Vairo of Laurium, Diane (Harry) Farley of Ishpeming, Robert Dion and Gerald (Karen) Dion of Lake Linden, and Sharon (Dan) Provost of Gladwin, Mich.; grandchildren, 2nd Lt. Emmet Gariepy of Wiesbaden, Germany, Julie (Michael) Milani of Hinsdale, Ill., Nicole (John) Brisson of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Gina (Patrick) Flynn of University Heights, Ohio, Steve (Shannon) Vairo of Houghton, Debbie (Dan) Chapman, Ken (Maryann) Farley, Tom (Joelene) Farley, all of Ishpeming, Jeremy and Çhristopher Dion of Lake Linden, Tracy (Kevin) O'Connell of Gaylord, Mich., Angie (Brad) Muma of Elk Rapids, Mich., Neil Provost of Ithaca, Mich. and Mark Provost of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and step-grandchildren, Kim, Raylene and Rhonda Hill of Lake Linden; great-grandchildren, Tim and Katie Milani, Dominic and Sophie Brisson, Tom and John Flynn, Gerald Vairo, Kayla, Alyssa and Megan Chapman, Ryan, Justin, Michael and Elizabeth Farley, Eric and Loren Farley; and newest great-grandchild O'Connell expected next week; and several nieces and nephews.Her legacy is reflected through her spirit in God, her love for her family, and the peace and comfort she brought to all she touched.A Rosary will be recited at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Friday at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., celebrated by Rev. Fr. Francis Dobrznski, Rev. Fr. Wayne Marcotte and Rev. Fr. James Challancin. Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Lake Linden.Visitation will be held from 4 until 8 p.m. Thursday at the Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden where there will be a Rosary service at 7:30.Memorials may be directed to the Restoration Fund of St. Joseph's Church in lieu of other expressions of sympathy.