Mildred Josephine O'Leary Katemopoulos' Obituary
“If I could go back through the mists of time, And I certainly would, wouldn’t you? I would certainly gladly return To those halcyon days And the beautiful world I knew.” —Mildred J. Katemopoulos, The World I KnewMildred Josephine O’Leary Katemopoulos (April 29, 1925 to December 7, 2013) was born in Shanghai, China. Until the age of eight, she was a student at the Holy Family School, which was run by the Helpers of the Holy Souls, a French Order, who had decided to discontinue operating the school. Two Loretto Sisters from America, Sister Mary Jane McDonald and Sister Maureen O’Connell, took up the formidable challenge of establishing a new school, and against all odds, they achieved their goal. On September 8, 1933, Mildred and 70 other students left the Holy Family School for the new Loretto School of Shanghai. It was a turning point in Mildred’s life.At the Loretto School of Shanghai, the Sisters emphasized and encouraged feelings of self-worth. They instilled in Mildred faith in herself and in God’s love and providence. She credited the Loretto Sisters with the high standard of educational instruction that provided the foundation for achieving success in everything that she undertook. Mildred was Valedictorian of her graduating class of 1942. In later years, Mildred would honor the Sisters of Loretto in Shanghai, and her former school, by publishing The Loretto School Book, a tribute to her Alma Mater. This proved to be so popular that it was followed by The Loretto School Book, Second Edition.On her 21st birthday, April 29, 1946, Mildred married a young man, Theodore Katemopoulos, whose impeccable, gentlemanly good manners had greatly impressed her. This year they celebrated 67 years of marriage. They went on to have five children—Maureen, Eileen, Kathryn, Paul, and Anne-Marie. Their late son, Paul, passed away in 1997.In 1949, Mildred and Theodore left Shanghai and settled in Hong Kong. She worked as Administrative Assistant to the CEO of Dairy Farm, a leading food importer, and subsequently for the CEO of Hong Kong Land, the world’s largest real estate company. She was Executive Secretary to the late Mr. Peter Stafford when he was the General Manager of the Mandarin Hotel. She was also invited to take up the appointment as the Hotel’s Coordinator of Press and Public Relations. Mildred later worked as Executive Secretary to Mr. Robert Burns, in the formative years of Regent International Hotels.Over the years, Mildred accepted the presidencies of Loretto International Far East; The Little Flower Club; and the Tuesday Club Hong Kong, assisting the Little Sisters of the Poor with their homes for the elderly. She felt privileged to be invited to create an annual, life-sized Nativity Scene in Hong Kong’s Central District as part of the city’s Christmas festivities. She also derived great pleasure and an ideal outlet for her artistic talents in decorating the show-windows of Cecil Arts Jewelry Company with special themes to suit the seasons.Having five children of her own, Mildred always had time for young people and their thoughts and interests. She was delighted to be asked to start and write a Children’s Sunday Page for the Hong Kong Standard, a leading newspaper that attracted thousands of young readers. She was known to her readers as “Aunty Katie” and many of her readers looked forward to the contests and prizes, and to attending the annual Christmas parties that she organized for them. Aunty Katie responded diligently and graciously to her fan mail.With her children growing up and going on to college in America, Mildred decided it was time for her to make a change as well. In 1977, Mildred left Hong Kong for the United States, where she settled in San Jose, California. Continuing her career as an administrative assistant, she worked in the hotel industry and non-profit organizations, most notably for Stanford Research Institute, the Fairmont Hotel, and Catholic Charities.Mildred retired in the 1990s, but continued in her commitment of service to those less fortunate; one of her missions for many years was to knit scarves and hats for the poor, which she would then send for distribution during the holiday season in New York City. She made every effort to support Lincoln High School, donating, building gift baskets and baking chocolate chip cookies for fundraisers.Ever the trailblazer, Mildred spent some of her time on her new personal computer, recording her thoughts and memories, particularly of Shanghai where she was born and grew up. In 1996, she published Born in Shanghai, a hardcover book of recollections of life in Shanghai in the 1930s and 1940s. The book presents vivid images of the Chinese people that Mildred encountered as she was growing up, and her deep admiration for their customs, traditions, joy and tenacity, despite very hard times, not least against the backdrop of World War II. Born in Shanghai was introduced at an Authors’ Breakfast at the “Old China Hands” Reunion held in October 1996 at the MGM GRAND, Las Vegas, and attended by about 1,400 people from all over the world. “When Silver Turns to Gold,” a paperback book of poems which Mildred composed to mark her Golden Wedding Anniversary, was also published in 1996.Mildred had a long memory. She loved attending Anne-Marie’s concerts, and would often talk about music and songs that she enjoyed. Her vivid, creative imagination and wry sense of humor were always at work. She kept in touch with friends and colleagues from all over the world, including a host of “Loretto girls” who remained among her best friends. She could always be depended upon to remember a forgotten stanza, provide the latest jingle or slogan for a commercial, or tell a story from years past. A voracious reader, Mildred started every day by reading the local newspaper, and was inevitably the first person to start a discussion about whatever was on the front page, or expound knowledge about virtually any topic imaginable. She was proud of her Irish heritage, her American citizenship, and her family. With the long and full life that she led, Mildred’s stories were rich and were always the main entertainment at the dinner table, where the family would always linger for hours after meals.In sitting for a portrait once, the photographer told Mildred that people who wore red often looked best; thereafter, Mildred was almost always wearing some article of red or pink—even when not being photographed! She loved sweet treats, and a little bowl of chocolates was almost inevitably within reach or stashed away in a “goodie bag” in her pocket. She also enjoyed “bling” and was always on the hunt for sparkly new items to add to her jewelry collection.One of Mildred’s favorite hobbies was visiting the casinos and spending a few dollars pulling the one-armed bandit, or, in her words “ka-chinging!” She also loved gardening, spending hours attacking the weeds and leaves, tending to her rose garden, and cultivating an amazing collection of houseplants and flowers. No matter where you looked, something was always blooming! .Mildred was graced with a life that was free of major health issues until age 79, when she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. Determined to be a warrior against the disease, Mildred battled back from this diagnosis, enduring a double mastectomy and radiation treatment, to remain cancer-free thereafter. In her last few years, as her mobility diminished, Mildred stayed positive and never failed to flash her famous smile, crack a joke, sing a song, or make an astute observation.Following a short illness, Mildred passed-away peacefully on December 7, 2013, surrounded by her family and her best childhood friend. She is survived by her husband and daughters.A Viewing was held on Saturday, December 21, 2013, from 9 am to 10 am; followed by a Funeral Service at 10 am, with burial following at 11:30 am, at Chapel of the Chimes Memorial Park (Reflection Chapel), 32992 Mission Blvd., Hayward, CA 94544.Mildred spent her lifetime in service to others. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that those who wish to do so make a donation in memory of Mildred to:Loretto Motherhouse http://www.lorettocommunity.org St. Anthony’s Guild http://www.anthonian.org American Cancer Society www.cancer.org/donate Community Hospice http://www.hospiceheart.org/foundation Carmelite Monastery of Santa Clara, 1000 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara, California 95050Cards may be sent to 4008 Ballen Court, Modesto, California 95356
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