Nina Fay Catt

Nina Fay Catt, 81, of Hardinville, IL, passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family. She was born September 26, 1941, in Martin Township, Crawford County, IL, the daughter of Nathan Charles Waggoner & Ellorie (Dudley) Waggoner. She grew up west of Hardinville, and it was here that her lifelong fondness for animals was born. Her family always had horses and milking cows, and in caring for them, Nina was instilled with a work ethic that would serve her well through the rest of her 81 years. It was also at this stage of her life that she learned how to shoot. Having been raised with a gun in her hand, it should come as no surprise that, when she gained the interest of one William Catt, many of their first dates were spent shooting! They were married on November 20, 1959, and together, they settled down north of Hardinville.

Nina spent much of her early adult life caring for her family and their home. She often busied herself in the kitchen, trying new recipes, though she could make some of the most mouth-watering chicken & noodles and fried chicken you'd ever get the chance to enjoy, all off the top of her head! Every year, she brought color and beauty to the Catt residence by way of her flower garden. But she wasn't just a homebody, as the Catts enjoyed the magnificence of God's creation by way of primitive camping. Whether by tent or teepee, they took in much of North America this way, including the Alafia River Rendezvous in Florida, which was an annual event that married their love of camping, muzzle-loaders, and history. An avid reader, it's hard to say just how many books about American history Nina read throughout her life. She also ravenously read through countless novels from authors by the likes of Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown.

As her children grew older, she entered the workforce as a housekeeper for Cotillion Ridge Nursing Home. Eventually, she joined the housekeeping department at Crawford Memorial Hospital, where she would work for 26 years before retiring in the early 2000s. The twilight years of her life were some of the most precious to Nina, as she was able to enjoy being a grandmother. She loved nothing more than piling her grandchildren together to read books on her blue rocker-recliner. As they grew up, she was their biggest fan and was a staple at their various ballgames (though her heart always belonged to the St. Louis Cardinals!) The love she sowed in the hearts of her family has now blossomed into a beautiful garden of memory. Its goodness will be a blessing to us for as long as we have the breath to speak her name.

She was a member of the Hardinville Christian Church.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 63 years, William D. Catt; her children, Lonnie Wayne & wife Jenise Catt (Carlsbad, NM), Roger Alan Catt & special friend, Joanne Cowie (rural Oblong, IL), and Tina Kay & husband Harold Shipman (Robinson, IL); her grandchildren, Breck & Jazmin Catt, Dannielle Catt, Lyndsey & Jeremy Ackman, Zachariah & Amelia Shipman, Weston & Kallie Shipman, and Olivia & Kameron Vinsel; her great-grandchildren, Manuel Catt, Stephanie Catt, Emma Catt, Avery Ackman, Gibson Ackman, Hudson Shipman, and Laurel Shipman; her sisters, Charlene Cornwell and Phyllis Littlejohn; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jerry Waggoner; her granddaughter, Shawna Rae Catt; as well as her constant companion of 22 years, her miniature dachshund, Shorty.

The public is invited to an open celebration of her life from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22nd at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. A remembrance service will follow and will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with her brother-in-law, Bro. Rick Catt officiating. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by visiting www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream . Memorials may be made to "Good Samaritan Hospice", with envelopes available at the funeral home. For more information, or to share a memory or condolence online, please visit www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com.