Catherine Rose Willard, 72, of Manhattan, Kansas,
died Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House. She
was a long-time resident of the community.
Cathy was born on December 1, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois, the
daughter of Vincent J. and Catherine (Docas) Briguglio. She attended
local grade school and graduated in 1968 from Notre Dame Catholic High
School. Cathy worked for the FBI in Chicago.
Cathy married James
Michael Willard on January 24, 1971, in Chicago. After over forty-three
years of marriage, he preceded her in death on July 19, 2014.
Mike was a career Navy personnel, and he and Cathy were stationed
in numerous places in the states and around the world. After their
retirement from the military, they moved to Manhattan where she worked
thirty-seven years for Riley County. First in Treasurer’s Office and
then in the County Appraiser’s Office. Cathy also worked in customer
service at the mall and was a successful Tupperware representative.
Cathy
was a member of St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center. She loved to
read and was an avid writer. She enjoyed making Christmas stockings for
her family and was known for her wonderful meals, especially her
lasagna and spaghetti. Over the years Cathy had several pet dogs that
she loved like family.
Cathy is survived by her son, Michael Willard and his wife,
Elaine, and her grandchildren, Macey Willard and Mason Willard, all of
Manhattan. She is also survived by her sister, Virginia Specchio
(Frank) and sister-in-law, Amy Briguglio, both of Des Plaines, Illinois.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Leonard
Briguglio.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, May
2, 2023, at St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center in Manhattan. Father
Gale Hammerschmidt will be the Celebrant. Burial will follow in Wamego
City Cemetery. Cathy will lie-in-state beginning at 3:00 pm, Monday,
May 1, 2023, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego, where the
family will greet friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. They suggest
memorial contributions to Wounded Warrior Project or Good Shepherd
Hospice House, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.