Catherine McNulty of Apopka, Florida passed away peacefully on the morning of July 11, 2019 after a long illness in the loving presence of family. Catherine was born to John and Mary McSweeney, with siblings Mary E. McSweeney, Helen Walter, Brendan McSweeney, Ann Balmforth, Kevin McSweeney, Margaret Horiagon, Thomas McSweeney, Agnes Cooney, and Irene Maine. Her death this week at the age of 91 marks the passing of the first generation of the McSweeney clan born in America, settled in the city of Providence, Rhode Island, during the years 1916 through 1935 to parents who emigrated from County Cork and County Roscommon, Ireland.

Catherine McSweeney graduated from Catholic schools in Providence, Rhode Island and worked as an administrative assistant for Brown and Sharpe, a machine tool builder in that same city, where she met her husband to be, Charles Edward McNulty, shortly after WWII. After their wedding in 1948, the couple lived in Providence for a time, then relocated to Chicago for about one year, before returning to Providence. By 1959, the couple had six children, and in that year they moved to Orlando, Florida. Catherine gave birth to three more children, and the couple managed to enroll all but two of the children in St. Charles Catholic School and Bishop Moore High School for a decade despite the financial and logistical hardship, thanks in part to the generosity of the schools. After the children were mostly grown, Catherine worked for a number of years as a visiting nurse, then as an employee of JC Penney.

Catherine is survived by daughters Anne Marie (Larry) Masi, Clare Caldwell, Kathleen Roman, Patricia Kimball, and Maureen (Jim Eaton) McNulty, and sons William (Donna) McNulty and Dennis (Judith) McNulty. Catherine is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Catherine is predeceased by her husband, Charles Edward McNulty, her daughter Aileen Glynn, sons Charles (Barbara) McNulty and James McNulty, and grandson Kevin Glynn.

Catherine's great calling in life was always her family. She inherited from her parents the strength, determination, sense of humor, and keen intellect that made her the equal to the many challenges and hardships life presented. Throughout her life, Catherine without hesitation made every sacrifice to support her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and she encouraged them in many ways to become the best they could be, while also uncovering opportunities for them wherever she could. Her interests included reading mysteries and avidly absorbing the news of the day from newspapers, television, and late night radio. Her trip to Europe in 1985, where she connected with distant relatives in Ireland and England, was a thrilling highlight of her life. Her family is eternally grateful and love her for all that she has meant to us our whole lives.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, July 19th at 5:00 pm, at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 1400 Matthew Paris Blvd, Ocoee, FL. A Mass of Christian Burial is to be held at 9:00 am on Saturday, July 20th at Resurrection Catholic Church, 1211 Winter Garden Vineland Rd.. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd., Gotha FL.

Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to the Catholic Charities, 1771 N. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL, 32807.