Mary Catherine Andrew

Mary Catherine Andrew, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula with her daughter Loretta and son in law Tab Hoots at her side. Catherine was the second daughter born to the late Charles and Mary (Lefthand) Andrew. She was born in St. Ignatius, MT on June 9, 1937.

She attended the Ursulines boarding school in St. Ignatius, MT. Upon returning home in Niarada, she went to work in apple orchards in Washington and Oregon. She also worked as a housekeeper at St. Joseph’s rehab center for many years. She was a very hard worker and was praised for her exceptional work.

She later in life met and married Joey “Pinhead” Squeque and they had a daughter Loretta. She also had another daughter, Rachel ”Shelly” Jacobson Olheiser, who she adopted out to a very loving family, who raised her to be a beautiful young woman. Shelly met her biological mother and sister in her early teens. She remains in contact as often as possible and calling often.

For the last four decades, Catherine worked at the Kootenai Culture Committee as Kootenai Language Consultant. Catherine was fluent in her language, culture, and tradition. She was transcribing tapes that her mother, Mary Lefthand Andrew had recorded. These tapes are history of the Ksanka people. Her time and effort were her joy. It was her mother’s voice, and she loved working with them.

Catherine was a beloved mother, gram, grandma, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt and “Gramma Cat” to many.

One of her favorite sayings, “Who Cares” will never be forgotten, along with her humor and quick wit. Her grandchildren Ina and Willie have those same traits.

Catherine and Joey divorced later in life, knowing they couldn’t live together. But they remained best friends until his untimely death in January 2020. She never forgave him for leaving her. She missed him every day that he was gone. They were together, but they weren’t.

Catherine is preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, ex-husband Joey, sisters, Marie, Annie, and Diane. She and Diane were as close as two sisters could be. She missed Diane every day since her passing in August of 2021. Diane was the youngest of the five sisters.

She leaves behind her daughters, Loretta (Tab), Shelly and Morning Star (Michael); her sister Louise Andrew; her grandchildren, Ina, Willie, Calee (Dan), Wendy (Wes); great – grandchildren, Alicia, Shay-lyn (Cole), Kambri-lyn, Nature and Gabe; her great-great- grandchildren, Numa, Dream, Cash, Skye, Susep, Cohen, Austin and Morgan and numerous nieces and nephews.

A wake will begin Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at 2:00 pm, Rosary at 8:00 pm, and service on Thursday, August 11th at 10:00 am, all at Elmo Hall. Burial to follow at Dayton Cemetery.