Rita Catherine Brancheau

Rita "Cathy" Brancheau, age 78, passed away July 25, 2023. Daughter of the late Edgar and Elizabeth (Edwards) Moore. Beloved wife of 49 years to William "Bill" Brancheau. Cherished mother of Dawn (Craig) Baurichter, David (Miya Abbott) Brancheau, Laura (Jason Jones) Ventimiglia, Erin (Justin) Thomas and Matt Brancheau. Adored grandmother of Nicholas and Michael Ventimiglia, Murphy and Walker Jones, Connor and Julia Thomas. Sister of Geraldine (the late Richard) Duncan, James (Doris) Moore Jr., Clara (the late Robert) Rupp, Margaret Ann Moore, Virginia (Jay) Gloede and the late Marie Moore, Thomas Moore, and William Patrick Moore.

Cathy was born and raised in Tennessee on a farm, raising cattle. She learned from a young age the benefits of hard work and dedication to a task. She was the Valedictorian of her high school class. Cathy attended the University of Cincinnati and completed the Bachelor of Science in Registered Nursing. While attending college, Cathy was a member of the Sisters of Mercy as a temporary candidate. However, she decided she wanted to drive a car, so she did not take permanent vows. Instead, she left the convent and bought a Chevelle, moved to Toledo, met and married Bill, and started a family. Cathy worked as a registered nurse and taught nursing classes at the local community college, then took a leave of absence to raise her children. She returned to nursing as the children entered school and worked nights at a skilled nursing facility, where she took her care and compassion to the patients in her care.
Bill and Cathy settled into life with their five children, and she became an active member in the Catholic Church at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns. Aside from chauffeuring her children, she enjoyed reading, sewing, working puzzles, crafts, music, and "resting her eyes". Cathy enjoyed staying active, played tennis while in college, studied Tae Kwon Do, eventually learned Tai Chi and became an instructor at the YMCA. Cathy also enjoyed playing Mah Jong with a group of her friends on a regular basis.

As a member of a large family, Cathy enjoyed spending time with her siblings, nieces and nephews, often in Tennessee. She and Bill set a great example of adventure and exploring National Parks and nature's beauty through camping and hiking. One favorite family camping spot was the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Long road trips were a staple in Cathy's life, and she instilled a sense of "it's about the journey, not the destination" into her family. Cathy also enjoyed spending time with her sisters and would take a yearly trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. They would spend their days on the beach and stayed up late at night laughing, reminiscing, and attempting to make brown sugar fudge.

Nothing gave Cathy more joy than spending time with her family. She was blessed with six grandchildren. Cathy and Bill made their home a place where the grandchildren would beg to go. Cathy was often overheard bragging about her grandchildren, telling stories of silly things the children would do, as well as talking about their greatest accomplishments.

Cathy was her family's number one fan. She was encouraging and supportive. She was always telling Bill "we will get through this". She rarely lost her temper and had the wittiest sense of humor. Her family and friends will miss her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rita Brancheau's name to the American Heart Association.


A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., when a funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church at 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, OH 43614.

Cathy will be laid to rest at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.