Irene Eileen Barbara Cato-Mack

Heaven has gained an angel! It is with humble acceptance that we announce the passing of Irene Eileen Barbara Cato-Mack in Shenandoah, Texas on January 14th, 2020. Irene was born in Georgetown Guyana on July 10th, 1941 to Alfred Athiel Thorne and Hannah Eileen Cato. She was the embodiment of caring, compassion and commitment and dedicated her life to her family, friends and career. She imparted wisdom to all she met and implored us all to be better people. She was a gifted Registered Nurse who was educated at an English hospital School of Nursing and Midwifery where she began her career. She also worked as a Staff Nurse, Midwife and Ward Sister at the Public Hospital Georgetown Corporation and Best Hospital in Guyana, a Visiting Nurse at Guyana National Insurance Scheme, a certified ICU and Emergency Room Nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, and finally a Private Nurse and Caregiver in New York at the time of her retirement. Irene was adored and preceded in death by her late husband Colin Augustus Mack. She leaves to mourn her children Ian Cato of Guyana, Diane Peters of London, England, and Heather Cato-Chin of the USA. She was the stepmother of Troy Duncan of the USA, Coleen Patterson, Shellon Ault-Rose and others, godmother of Claire Ann Dowling of the USA, daughter-in-law of Yvonne Cato of Guyana and son-in-law David Chin of the USA. She was the sister of Arthur Cato of Guyana, Enid “Angela” Cato of Barbados, John Thorne of The Netherlands and Seth Noel Jacobs of Atlanta Georgia. She was preceded in death by siblings Patrick, Ivor and David McLean Thorne, Lynn Thompson, Grace and Alistair Cato, and Gloria Baggot. Irene cherished her grandchildren Stephan Cato of Guyana, Alastair, Oryll and Meshelle of England, and Azalia, Keene, Kenny, Austen and Jessica all of the USA. She was the beloved aunt of Donovan Jack, Robin Anthony and Matthew Alleyne all of Barbados, Sharon and Shawn Cato of Guyana, Maxim Thorne and Katya Rattray of the USA, Paul McLean Thorne of England, and others. She was preceded in death by other nieces and nephews. She was cousin of Janice Dowling of Canada, Leila Blackman, Michael, Derrick and Aubrey Griffith all of the USA, Stanley “Dennis”, Donette, Mona and Sharon Griffith, Sheermander “Sharon” DePutran, and many others. Irene was a treasured friend and companion of Barbara Chester, Barbara Phillips, Meena Mohabir, Rhonda Jones, Winifred Pickett, Gary, Sarah, Zachary and Julia Schlessinger and others. Her family wishes to thank the staff of Public Hospital Georgetown Corporation Ward E, St. Luke Hospital (The Woodlands), MD Anderson (The Woodlands and Downtown), our wonderful neighbors in The Woodlands, and all those who reached out and spoke words of comfort and release in her final hours. A Celebration of life Ceremony will be held at 1:00 PM on February 7th, 2020 at the Rob Fleming Park in The Woodlands, Texas. Celebration of Life ceremony at Creekside Park on February 7th at 1:00 p.m.