Catherine Skipper Busky, 94, of Manchester, died with her family by her side on December 24, 2017. Wife of Joseph W. Busky, Catherine was born on November 25, 1923 in Somers, CT. She was the daughter of the late Anthony and Anna (Hurbe) Skipper and spent her childhood in Somers. Catherine enlisted in the Army Corps of Nurses during World War II, having studied nursing at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MA, in 1945. She served in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign in Japan and returned to Connecticut to complete an associate's degree in liberal arts from Hillyer College in Hartford. Catherine worked at Hamilton Standard, Broad Brook, CT as an industrial nurse. She spent her free time with many activities: she loved to dance and sing, to attend opera and musical performances and travel as much as possible. Catherine was a natural, gifted athlete who loved to play golf and tennis, swim, ice skate and ski. She skied at some of the earliest ski resorts in the western US. After retiring from nursing, Catherine married Joseph in 1956 and then devoted herself to raising her children, exposing them to the sports she loved, and encouraging each one to play a musical instrument. She spent many hours gardening and learning bonsai, and "The Sound of Music" was her favorite movie. Catherine put her family first and was known for her honesty, integrity and joie de vivre. She was committed to her faith and fellowship at the Church of the Living God in Manchester, being one of the founding members of its congregation. Faithfully she attended bible study, supported ministries and taught Sunday school. The family would like to thank the staff at Vernon Manor for the loving care they provided Catherine who was a special member of their resident family. Catherine is survived by her husband of 61 years, Joseph, and six children - son Theodore Busky of Storrs (his wife Jeannette Picard and children Nathaniel and Jillian Picard-Busky), daughter Mary Busky of South Windsor (her husband Jack Ceppetelli and children Joseph and Alana Ceppetelli), daughter Elizabeth Busky of Boston, MA (her partner Lois Ebel), daughter Rosemary Busky of Brookfield, IL (her husband Carl Habercoss, his children Kristyn and Josef), daughter Margaret Eisenhauer of Putnam Station, NY (her son Luke), and son George Busky of Ellington (his wife Karen and children Julia, Erin, Amanda and Nicholas Busky). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Catherine was predeceased by her infant sister Margaret; brothers Peter, Anthony, Jr., John and Joseph; her sisters Sophie and Elizabeth. The family will receive friends for calling hours on Friday, December 29, from 4 - 7 PM at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 30 at Saint Bartholomew Church, 736 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester. Burial will follow at Saint Bridget Cemetery, 195 Oakland Street, Manchester. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Catherine's name to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org). For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.