Catherine E. Bemish

Catherine Eugenie “Jean” (Green) Bemish

Age 81, passed away peacefully in the home of her daughter Katherine Clare “KC” Bemish in Ann Arbor, Michigan with KC by her side and KC’s dog, Rowdy, nestled in the crook of her knees on the evening of August 14, 2018.  She was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 26, 1937 to William and Lois (Aber) Green.  She is survived by her twin brother Michael “Mike” Green of Farmington Hills, son Andrew Lawrence “Andy” Bemish of Northville, daughter KC of Ann Arbor, and grandson Charles Michael “Athang” Bemish of Lansing. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lawrence Merrill “Larry” Bemish, and her brothers, Robert “Bob” Green, William “Bill” Green, and Lawrence “Larry” Green.  She met the love of her life, Larry, through her brother Bill.  They were a perfect match since both were 5’ 3” tall.  They were married on June 22, 1957 in Northville and were together for 55 wonderful years.

At the age of 11, Eugenie’s family moved from Detroit to Northville.  Her father promised her when they moved to the “country” she could have a horse.  True to his word, Eugenie’s dad got her a horse, Blackie, who, as his name suggests, was jet black.  Blackie proved to be quite a handful for Eugenie and was sold to the western movie star, Lash LaRue, who was famous for riding a black horse.  Babe was Eugenie’s next horse who turned out to be the perfect companion.  Her love of horses never waned.  She was fortunate to have her horses in her backyard and a wonderful crew of friends to ride with.  Remarkably, she rode until she was well into her 70s.

At a time when many women pursued a career in homemaking, Eugenie decided on a different path.  With encouragement from her biggest fan, her husband Larry, she attended Eastern Michigan University and earned a BA in Elementary Education.  She taught briefly until the arrival of her children.  After a 14-year absence from the workforce and again with the encouragement of her husband, Eugenie renewed her teaching certificate and eventually earned a MA in Elementary Education.  She was hired by the Plymouth-Canton School District and taught for 25 years at Miller Elementary School.  Her passion for teaching was focused on the reading - writing connection.  And she more than once mentioned that she would never teach a level higher than third grade because she couldn’t do the math!  Her love of children’s literature spilled over into other parts of her life.  A trip to England in 1984 included visits to the Lake District home of Beatrix Potter (author of the Tale of Peter Rabbit and many, many other wonderful tales), and of course Paddington Station in London, where Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear begins his adventures.  As an avid rug-hooker, nursery rhymes inspired many of her works – including Hey Diddle Diddle and Goldie Locks and the Three Bears.

In addition to being a wife/daughter/mother/aunt/grandmother, Eugenie was an active volunteer in many organizations often holding positions of president, vice president, or secretary.  She was a member of the Salem Area Historical Society, Friends of Maybury State Park, and Maybury Trail Riders to name a few.  She was also an active member of the Heirloom Rug Hookers Guild, a chapter of ATHA (Association of Traditional Hooking Artists).  For a number of years she spent Saturday mornings reading to children at the Bookstall book store in Northville; carrying her passion for teaching and children’s literature into retirement.

Aside from a brief period living in Ypsilanti for college, Eugenie spent almost 70 of her 81 years living on Napier Road in Northville.  Of those 70 years, 51 were in the same house; a warm and welcoming space she created by decorating with her various crafts and handy-works. It was an extension of her generous and loving spirit.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 14, 2018 from 4-8pm with a Rosary at 7pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville.  A funeral mass will be held Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 10:30am at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard, Northville.  In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Friends of Maybury State Park , or the Salem Area Historical Society , P.O. Box 75011, Salem, MI  48175, or the Humane Society of Huron Valley , 3100 Cherry Hill, Ann Arbor, MI  48105.

Please note if you plan on attending visitation on Friday there will be road closures due to the Northville Heritage Festival, please call 248.349.0611 for assistance with directions. Also there will be a Heritage Festival Parade beginning at 6:30pm which will cause Dunlap Street to be closed temporarily. If you arrive after 6:30pm you will be unable to park in the funeral home parking lot.