Norine Helen Cate - 75

Park Forest, Illinois

Norine Helen Cate (Allman), age 75, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home in Park Forest surrounded by her family on November 11, 2023 after a long courageous battle with cancer.  Graduate of Mount St Mary Academy in St Charles, IL. At age 19, Norine began working at The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and soon began working in the payroll department where she stayed before proudly retiring in 2006. She married the love of her life Joe Cate on April 29, 1972, and enjoyed 51 loving years together. Working downtown for 40 years did not keep Norine from being a devoted mother to her children, Tim (Katie) Cate, Michael Cate, Alice (Bill Bormet) Cate and Jim (Jen) Cate. She wanted nothing more in this world than to watch them grow up and succeed. Norine could not wait to be a grandma, and cherished anytime she visited or babysat her grandchildren Gillian, Carter, Thatcher, Addison, and Clark Cate. For decades, Norine’s favorite place to go every summer was The Last Resort at Indiana Beach. She and her family made many friends and created memories that will last a lifetime.  She was also a loyal and dedicated pet mom and pet grandma to her many dogs and grand dogs throughout her life. People would say any dog that had Norine and Joe as their owners won the adoption lottery. Norine is preceded in death by her beloved father Norbert, her mother Catherine nee Byrne. Survived by her brother Tim (Donna) Allman. Aunt to many nephews, nieces, and cousin of many.  She is preceded in death of a lifelong best friend, Joy P. Green.  Resting at Panozzo Bros. Funeral Home, 530 West 14th Street (US Rt 30, 3 blks E of Western Ave), Chicago Heights on Sunday November 19, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral Monday November 20, 2023 11:15 am from funeral home to St Mary Church, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest. Mass 12:00 Noon. Burial Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Norine’s name to the South Suburban Human Society, 21800 Central Avenue, Matteson, IL, 60443 or southsuburbanhumane.org would be appreciated by the Cate family.  Info 708-481-9230 and panozzobros.com.