Catherine Emily Nyquist Fuller

Catherine Emily Nyquist Fuller, 80, died peacefully on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at her home in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Known by friends as Kate Fuller, she fought a short but complex battle with kidney disease. A memorial service to honor and celebrate her life will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 7th, at the Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Kate was born on December 12, 1928 to Antonia and Harry Nyquist and grew up in Millburn, New Jersey, the youngest of 4 children. She was an excellent student who played piano and trombone, often making music with her siblings. The family loved the Cape Cod beach, singing together with mother, and science. Kate attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she met her husband of 60 years, Marvin Fuller. They were married on August 1, 1948. As a young couple they lived in the Chicago, Illinois area after she graduated in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in mathematics. In 1954, the family moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan. Music, science and the beach were important to Kate and her family in Benton Harbor. For many years she taught fourth grade at Fairplain West Elementary School and later at Bard Elementary School, acquiring her master’s degree in education from Michigan State University in the 1970s. She taught remedial math at Jordan College in Benton Harbor. After retiring, she continued to teach and tutor as a volunteer. For last 10 years, Kate worked at Brookview Montessori School, last teaching math in spring 2009. Catherine felt that learning is the most important and enjoyable thing in life. A founder of the Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (BUUF) in 1959, Kate was a dynamic force within the congregation for 50 years, serving in many roles, including piano playing and choir singing, teaching Sunday School, serving on the Board, ministerial search committees, and participating in the Unitarian Universalist district and national events. Kate was active in the community with the Parent Teachers Association, both as a parent and a teacher; in the Benton Harbor Teachers Union; the Association of University Women; Lianas, and she started the Women Entrepreneurs support group in the 1980s. More recently, she was involved with VASA Swedish Heritage Association as well as being involved in Healing Racism and Calling All Colors, receiving several awards in 2001 for her 40 years of working to improve race relations. Catherine is survived by her three children, Diane (Michael) Fuller Brown of Peoria, Illinois, Bruce (Kathryn) Fuller of Seattle, Washington, and James A. Fuller of Benton Harbor; her sister, Phoebe Nyquist Hanson of Mooresville, North Carolina; three grandchildren, David Brown, Daniel Brown, and Alexander Fuller; and three step-grandchildren Bradley Smith, Craig Smith, and Andrew Smith. She is also survived by 5 sisters-in-law and 3 brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews, as well as many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin A. Fuller, her sister, Helen Nyquist Weekes, and her brother, Alfred W. Nyquist. Donations may be made to Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4340 Lincoln Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Kate was an enthusiastic lover of life, who brought cheer, kindness, intelligence, and caring into the world. She will be greatly missed.

Tributes

Catherine Emily Nyquist Fuller

December 12, 1928 - October 24, 2009