 OSTREM , MARY CATHERINE AKA: Nanna Num-Num, passed away on her birthday November 8th, 2012 at the age of 84 in her home in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. In August, 2012 she had been given three months to live and lived for 15 months despite her diagnosis with an abdominal aortic aneurism. She received excellent care from her Presbyterian Hospice team: Dr. Saltzman, her nurses: Becky and Liz, her chaplain: Janet, her social worker: Kate and her home health aids: Lori and Sandy, they enabled her to stay in her home with her cat, Isabella. Cathie was born on November 8th, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to her parents Madeline Wagner (Rollit) Harman and Charles Manning Rollit. She grew up in Minnesota, attended St. Mary's Hall, moved to California, attended L.A. High and graduated from Marlborough School for Girls. She was married to William Anthony Barber and had a son, Steven. She was married to Clifford Ostrem and had two daughters, Kristen and Katie. She went to nursing school at St. Luke's School of Nursing and went back to finish her nursing studies at Santa Rosa Junior College in her 50s. She worked as a licensed vocational nurse in San Rafael, California for the Dominican sisters at Lourdes Infirmary and in Sebastopol, California at Apple Valley nursing home. She actively worked in nursing until she retired at the age of 73. After retirement, she volunteered taking blood pressures at the Meadowlark senior center. Her proudest moments: She loved her three children, was a proud grandmother of Elsa and Odin, she was an accomplished artist, volunteered as a 4-H leader for many years running horse shows and coordinating 4 day overnight horse camping trips. She enjoyed playing bridge with her girlfriends, working on her artwork and reading many books. She was eager to get to early voting this year and celebrated at El Pinto restaurant on Tuesday. In the last 15 months she enjoyed traveling to Colorado for her brother in law's wedding, California for her daughter's wedding reception, Washington D.C. to visit the monuments and back to California to see the beach, visit family and friends. She had her passport ready to go for the next opportunity to travel. She requested a celebration of her life at El Pinto Restaurant 10500 4th Street, ABQ on Thursday 11/15/2012 at 3:00pm. Donations can be made to the Animal Humane Association. She is survived by her family: Clifford Ostrem of Sebastopol, California, Steven Carter Barber Harman of Alameda, California, Kristen Ostrem-Niemcewicz and Stefan Niemcewicz of Edgewood New Mexico and Katie Ostrem-McKeown, Brady McKeown, Elsa McKeown and Odin McKeown of Corrales, New Mexico. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-892-9920
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