Catalina Alvarado

Campbell resident, Catalina "Katie" Melendres Alvarado, 68, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Friday, November 3, 2017.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to Start Over Rover, especially for kittens and cats, and can be sent to P.O. Box 176, Campbell, Nebraska 68932.

Catalina was born on November 29, 1948, to José Melendrez and Juana Alvarado in Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico. She was the last of 16 children. When 16, Catalina's mother brought her to Los Angeles, California. She stayed with a family and became a nanny for their children. In 1989, she was married, then widowed one month later. After that, she worked in a clothing factory in downtown, Los Angeles. By 1993, Katie became employed at St. Luke's Hospital in Pasadena.

She was a dynamo of activity and personality and worked very hard as a housekeeper. She did her job well. While there, she met a CNA, Janice Gingrich, and became friends. At this time, she was homeless so was invited to be her roommate. Around 1996, she became a US citizen. After an earlier back and knee injury, Katie began to describe her body as "going kaput." In 1998 to 2000 she went back to Mexico to take care of her mother until the day she died in her youngest daughter's arms.

In 2001, Katie moved to Nebraska to live again with Janice and help care for Janice's mother while she worked nights. Later, Katie also worked at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital as a housekeeper. By 2003, Katie found a job in Campbell, Nebraska at Grandview Manor and moved to town. As time went by her body became more and more "kaput" yet she still loved to make "the best enchiladas" for her friends.

Now we can only believe she is truly "Safe in the Arms of Jesus."

Katie was preceded in death by her parents and 14 siblings.

SURVIVORS:
Brother:
Rafael Melendrez - Mexico
Niece, Spouse & 2 children:
Rosa Maria Villegas - ID
Friend of 36 years:
Janice Gingrich - Bladen, NE
Many Nieces, Nephews & friends