Catharine Norquest

Catharine Clarke Norquest, age 91, of Fountain City, Indiana died Tuesday, March 25. She was born on August 9, 1916. The second daughter of James Omer and Irene Cofield Clarke, she was a direct descendant of Jeremiah Cox, a birthright Quaker.


The Whitewater High School graduate was valedictorian of the class of 1934. She attended Earlham College and the University of Wisconsin. She married Donald Andrew Norquest on April 8, 1939.
After WWII, the family resided for 36 years in Decatur, Indiana where they were members of the Presbyterian Church. She retired to her family farm after raising her children.


She was a former circuit court supervisor and in 1981 she received the State of Indiana Certificate of Appreciation which was presented to her by Indiana Governor Robert Orr for her many years of dedicated, faithful and honorable service as a public employee.


Catharine was a member of the Fountain City Friends Meeting and a member of its woman's society. She was a member of the Whitewater Book Club and a charter member of the Fountain City Order of Eastern Star #552, serving as chaplain for the past 10 years.


Survivors include a son James Kearney Norquest (Julie) of West Palm Beach, Florida, and daughters Carol Norquest Dugan (John), Rita Norquest DuBois (Michael), and Catharine Lisa Norquest (Jim Rusine), all of Indianapolis. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and by nephews Rodney Hinshaw (Lynda) and Michael Hinshaw, MD (Carol), of Richmond, Indiana.


Her husband Donald Andrew Norquest preceded her in death on Sept 16, 1998.


Catharine was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.


Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29, at the Smith & McQuiston Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City, where visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Saturday.