In 2013, Regina Health Center (RHC) welcomed the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland following the order’s difficult decision to close the Saint Angela Center, which cared for its aging sisters. Sister Catherine Waldron (Sr. St. Ann), OSU, was one of the first 25 Ursuline sisters to be welcomed at Regina Health Center. Her sibling, Sister Angela Marie Waldron, OSU, was actually one of the first two to arrive, and went home to God shortly after her arrival. At RHC, Sr. Catherine continues to touch the lives of many with her gentle smile and willingness to reach out to others. Luckily for everyone at RHC, she has had much practice in perfecting her kind demeanor.
During her working years, Sr. Catherine was a model Catholic educator. From 1982 to 2013, Sr. Catherine served at Lake Catholic High School in Mentor, Ohio, as an English composition teacher, assistant principal and principal from 1989-2006. After retiring from her duties as principal, she served as an English tutor until 2013.
Sr. Catherine was inducted into Lake Catholic’s Hall of Excellence in 2007 for “having loyalty, integrity, long-term dedication, and unwavering understanding and passion for the school’s mission statement.” She had many accomplishments while principal, including integrating computer technology into the curriculum, establishing an endowment and a board, and much more. Lake Catholic also won several athletic state championships during her time there (Go Cougars!).
She touched many lives as an educator, including one family who was so moved by her brand of Catholic values around educating students that they recently established The Sister Catherine Waldron (Sister St. Ann) Scholarship endowment fund at Lake Catholic High School in her honor. The fund will be awarded annually to students with financial need.
Father David Woost served as chaplain at Lake Catholic while Sr. Catherine was principal. He was inspired by the leadership of the Ursuline Sisters at the school and wrote to the order’s Superior about his experience, and how he learned and grew in his ministry there. He commented on the order’s outstanding dedication, diligent service and unbreakable commitment. In a separate conversation about Sr. Catherine, he said, “From the very beginning of my tenure at Lake Catholic, Sr. St. Ann was extremely patient with me as I tried to make the transition into high school ministry. In my ministry, I have worked with and seen the example of very competent priests and pastoral ministers, but no one can match the work, commitment and dedication of Sr. St. Ann. She was the best person with whom I ever worked.”
Sister Susan Bremer, OSU, a member of the leadership team for the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland also had high praise. She said, “Sr. Catherine is one who always shunned the spotlight—in her ministry she did what she did because it was the right thing to do and because she was committed to her students, families and colleagues, not because of any ‘glory’ she might gain.”
While Sr. Catherine has typically avoided the spotlight, her brother, Harold Waldron, and sister, Sr. Brigetta Waldron, OSU, were happy that her accomplishments would be shared with a larger crowd. “I am certain that she, her Lake Catholic family, our family and your reading audience will not only be impressed with the highlights of Sr. Catherine’s career but with the great care and understanding she is receiving at Regina Health Center/Mount Augustine,” said Harold.
RHC Executive Director Mark Yantek said serving Sr. Catherine and all of the Ursuline Sisters has been an honor. He said, “We are proud to serve the Ursuline Sisters and all of our residents with the health care needs of their aged and infirmed community members. Sr. Catherine is very special to us and we are honored to play an important role in her health and spiritual care.”