Catherine (Midge) A. Gourde

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Catherine (Midge) A. Gourde

May 15, 1929 ~ February 14, 2022

Catherine (Midge) A. Gourde was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 15, 1929, to Mary and Bernard Schulz. She met the man of her dreams, Richard Gourde (deceased 1990), in 1950 and they married September 1951. They were both strong Catholics and God rewarded them with 11 healthy children. They primarily raised their children in Utah and since 1962 Catherine resided in Bountiful and remained in the family home until the end. She peacefully passed away on February 14, 2022, at God’s calling with family members at her side. She is survived by 10 children Richard Jr., Mary, Alice, Theresa, Lorreta, Lorraine, Thomas, Paul, Jerome and James; 33 grandchildren and more than 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Regina and grandchildren Caroline, Zachary and Casey.

 Catherine was raised in Michigan with her five brothers and three sisters and spent most of her childhood there, until she moved to California. She attended grade school and high school in southern California and spent a year at St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles. Not long after, she married Richard, and after a few years in California, he was transferred to Utah for his work. Despite the move, Catherine and Richard were able to maintain commitment to their faith and sacrificed to send their children to St. Olaf Catholic Elementary School and Judge Memorial Catholic High School.  

 During these years, Catherine developed many friendships and became involved in many volunteer activities, later giving a lot of time to the Blue Army, the Ladies of Charity, the Carmelite nuns, and driving for Meals on Wheels. Catherine was a very giving and charitable mother and person, touching many lives while she raised strong, independent children who have all made their own mark in life.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 25, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 1793 S. Orchard Dr., Bountiful. A reception will follow. She will be laid to rest the same day at 3 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St., Salt Lake City.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make any desired contributions to the Catholic Foundation of Utah/Named Family Endowments at the following link: https://www.dioslc.org/ways-to-give/catholic-foundation/named-family-endowments/donate in the name of the Richard and Catherine Gourde Family Endowment.

Her memory will live on for many people and her influence and legacy will ripple for years through the lives of countless friends and family.