Obituary of Catherine M. Gross

Olean, NY Catherine “Cookie” M. Gross, 100, a long-time resident of N. 12th St., passed away peacefully Tuesday (March 5, 2024) at The Pines of Olean. Born at home on December 2, 1923 in Burke, she was one of five children born to Charles S. and Mabel R. Platt Cook. On September 1, 1943 in Olean, she married Richard W. Gross who predeceased her August 29, 2002. “Cookie,” as she was affectionately known by many, was a 1942 graduate of Franklin Academy in Malone and came to visit in Olean shortly before for the 1942 Flood. She first worked at the munitions plant in Eldred, PA . She also worked for Daystrom Co. as a certified welder for aircraft fuselages during WWII. She was known as one who could weld around the nose of the plane without “breaking the bead.” When her boys were young, she was employed as a housekeeper. Starting in 1970, she worked at the former Richardson’s Grocery Store on West State St., now Park and Shop Service Store until her retirement in 2002. She was committed to her job and made lifelong friends wherever she worked. She enjoyed gardening and sharing a cup of tea with friends. She was a longtime member of the Maplehurst Baptist Church. She enjoyed serving as a Sunday School teacher as well as with the children’s and nursery programs. She leaves behind 2 sons Rodney (Kathy) Gross of Lewis Run, PA and Sidney (Barbara) Gross of Fayetteville, NC; four grandchildren Kyle (Teresa) Gross and daughter Kylie; Melissa (Steve) Morgan and children Shelby, Remington, and Abigail; Amber (Will) Wilson and children Daymian (Becca) , Micayla, Jaelynn and Braylee; and Kyle Wakefield. She is also survived by a daughter-in-law Nancy Gross of Winterville, NC, and many caring nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Richard, she was predeceased by a son R. William Gross in 2003; 1 sister Florence Cook; 3 brothers J. Clinton Cook, Ernest (Arline) Cook and C. Crosby Cook, and a cousin, Eileen (Platt) Worth. Friends will be received on Saturday (March 9, 2024) from 9am to 11am at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean where a funeral and committal service will begin at 11am. Rev. Terry Jenks, pastor of the Hinsdale Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow next to her husband in Hinsdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Pines of Olean, 2245 W. State St., Olean, NY 14760, Maplehurst Baptist Church, 1349 Rte 446, Hinsdale, NY 14743, Shriners Children’s Hospital, 950 W. Faris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.