Nona Cathcart

Nona M. O’Brien Cathcart

 
     On August 18, 1886, Nona M. O’Brien was born in Peru, Indiana.  She was the daughter of a bartender and her grandparents were Irish Immigrants.  On November 19, 1910, she married Herbert Cathcart.  During the formation of Dukes, Hospital Nona was involved with fundraising for that organization. In 1918 when Gertrude Thiebaud left the Miami County area Nona replaced Gertrude as recording secretary for the Miami County Red Cross.   Nona was a popular woman who was prominent in church circles.  Her charitable work continued throughout her life.  During the depression, she was in charge of a sewing project in which clothing was made available to the needy.  Tragedy struck her life in 1939 when on her 53rd birthday her husband took his life.  But Nona bounced back because in the 1940’s she was again the executive secretary for the Miami County Red Cross and continued in this role until 1958.  For many years Nona taught Sunday School at the First Baptist Church.  In May 1962, the local chapter of the Red Cross gave special recognition to Nona’s contributions at their annual award dinner. On July 14, 1962, Central Indiana lost an angel when Nona M. O’Brien Cathcart died at Marion General Hospital.  She is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery. 



Researched, written and submitted by Mary Rohrer Dexter

Works Cited

“Mrs. Nona Cathcart, Civic Leader, Dies Saturday At Marion.” Unknown Newspaper. Clipping date or paper source not known

“Peru Man Ends Life; Body Is Found In Auto.” Peru Daily Tribune, 18 Aug. 1939.

“Rites Monday For Mrs. Nona Cathcart Red Cross Executive.” Peru Republican, 19 July 1962.

“ ‘United States Census, 1900," Database with Images, FamilySearch (Https://Familysearch.org/Ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DTT7-C1L?Cc=1325221&Wc=9BQP-MNG%3A1030552501%2C1033690801%2C1034691501 : 5 August 2014), Indiana > Miami > ED 106 Peru Township Peru City Ward 4 > Image 16 of 36; Citing NARA Microfilm Publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, N.d.).”





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