Mary Catherine Pruitte
July 9, 1942 – February 25, 2025
Mary Catherine Pruitte was born July 9, 1942 in Omaha, NE to Leslie and Helen Pruitte. She passed away on February 25, 2025.
Since she was in kindergarten, Miss Cathy Pruitte has been singing for more than half a century. Inspired to start singing by her mother, who had a beautiful voice, she would go into the first grade classroom at Holy Name and sing to the older kids.
Cathy attended Holy Name from Kindergarten through high school, where she sang in a mixed choir, as well as some small ensembles and quartets. She was very involved in music during her high school years and participated in musicals. Pruitte’s brother Jim was also in the choir at Holy Name.
One teacher in particular, Sister Callista McNamara, from Holy Name inspired Cathy to become a music teacher. “When I started college, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a singer, but I got interested in teaching,” Cathy said. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Mary and her masters degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She also did music studies at Drake University, Eastern Michigan University, and University of Denver.
After graduating from college, Pruitte student taught at Omaha South High School. After that, she taught music in Council Bluff’s public school district at Kirn Junior High School for nearly 15 years. Pruitte instructed mixed groups of choirs, as well as the show choir: “ The Buttons and Beaus.” Meanwhile at Marian, a conflict came up. The music teacher, Sister Sharon, was leaving and they needed a replacement. “..They asked me and I had mixed feelings about it at first because I really liked where I was, but it was kind of like coming home to the Servants of Mary because they were at Holy Name, too,” Cathy said.
In the school year of 1980 – 1981, Cathy taught her first year at Marian. “It was really tough because only about 12 girls were in choir, “ she said. She knew there had to be more girls in the school with a voice than that. She went around asking why girls weren’t in choir and they replied, “Because I can’t sing.” This statement inspired her to start the Last Chance Sing Class at Marian, where it developed confidence in several girls’ talent.
Her favorite part of teaching music, is simply, “The students.” She really cared for all the individuals that walked into her classroom. Cathy made it clear as a teacher that one goal was to have the student leave with a better idea of music than before they took choir.
She made sure all her students had proper singing etiquette to prepare them for competitions. This really paid off. As a result, the select Women’s Choir received gold in their competition and ultimately was invited to perform in New York City in 2008. It was a true honor for Miss Pruitte, accompanist , Miss Christy Edris, and the Select Women’s Choir. Even after that, the Select Women’s Choir continued to consistently receive gold. Cathy was big on facial expression and enunciation of vowels, which contributed to the choir’s constant success.
In May of 2015, Cathy retired after 35 years of being the choir director at Marian. Many of her students were sad to see her go, but appreciative of the hard work that she put into her many years of service.
Teaching music for 50 years, Miss Cathy Pruitte has touched the lives of many.
By sharing her musical inspiration, several girls have come through her classroom doors as timid singers and left the stage as confident performers.
Mary Catherine Pruitte was born July 9, 1942 in Omaha, NE to Leslie and Helen Pruitte. She passed away on February 25, 2025. Cathy is survived by, niece Lisa (Lee) Blevins; great nieces and nephews Frank, Gracie, James and Holly; her nephew Scott Pruitte; her dear friend and caregiver Christy Edris and by many many great friends and former students. She is preceded in death by her brother Leslie James (late Mary Helen) Pruitte; her aunt Elaine Pruitte and by her parents.
VISITATION: Monday, March 3, 2025 at Heafey Hoffmann Dworak and Cutler, West Center Chapel from 9:00 am until the time of Memorial Service at 11:00 am. Interment private.
21 Comments
Rest in peace, Cathy! I’m praying for your family and friends.
Miss Pruitte was an outstanding teacher during my time at Marian. She truly cared about the students in all aspects of our lives. I have very fond memories of her and Miss Edris. May she Rest in Peace 💕🙏
What a profound loss. She touched the lives of so many at Marian. The world lost an amazing soul.
I worked with Cathy for several years. He devotion to her students made her a great teacher. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Miss Pruitte, my heart is breaking. You had such an inspiring impact on my life. My favorite memories of high school always include something you directed, inspired or encouraged me to participate in. I am a music therapist now because you hung an article on your builtin board about helping others with music. We were forever laughing in choir, especially when we intentionally sang the wrong warm ups, tried desperately to learn Swahili pronunciation, and the time a bee flew into your hair! You were always firm but fair and always knew the right thing to say. I feel very lucky to have been a student of yours. Thank you for everything!
It was an honor and so much fun to be in the Kirnettes, lovingly lead by Miss Pruitte, in the late 60s. She definitely helped increase my confidence as a performer and my lifelong love for music.
Miss Pruitte was one of two teachers at Marian that didn’t dismiss me. I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy my senior year and they just wanted to get rid of me because I slept thru every class except Choir. She stood by my mom as we tried to get answers and she never ever gave up on me. I can honestly say that because she had my mother’s back, she was part of the reason I was eventually diagnosed. I hated high school, but Miss Pruitte, I’ll never ever forget. She was truly one of the good ones.
Miss Pruitte will always hold a special place in my heart. She taught me to sight read music, sing vowels appropriately, and use my diaphragm! Her classroom was my safe haven during my years at Marian; I knew I was loved and could always be myself. I will forever be grateful for all she taught me and all the care and love she gave to the students who entered the choir room. Sending condolences to her family and Ms. Edris. ❤️
She was truly one of a kind!! There are good teacher, and there are GREAT teachers. Miss Pruitt was the TOP, the BEST!! She was not just a great teacher but an inspiration for all of us whom she touched! Many peaople will never know a teacher like Miss Pruitt and for that my heart breaks!!! RIP Cathy, you were AMAZING, and I wish ther were more people in this world like you!!! You influenced my life, sang at my wedding, let me always feel welcome, showed me how to be “one of a kind”……RIP will see you later♥️
Cathy Pruitte was an acquaintance of my mom (both attended Holy Name school) and I loved singing with her. Her counsel has often been an inspiration in tough times, when I would channel her voice in my head; she would say, “Put your lips on, ladies!” She meant it two ways – get ready to sing, but she also meant to get out into the world with your best face on, even on a tough day. There were tough days, when we had to sing at a funeral of a classmate, for example. Her heart was big and her leadership was authentic. Her words have been in my head since the 1980s! I loved stopping by her classroom on my visits home from college. She will never be forgotten by me – I am one of many who will remember her loving guidance.
Miss Pruitte. You were truly a remarkable teacher and mentor to me and so many others who were lucky enough to sing for you at Marian. You are the brightest, most lasting memory I have from high school. You brought us to Atlanta, NYC, and Chicago. You introduced me to Broadway. Handel’s Messiah, too, which my sister and I will still sing in random moments of silly inspiration. You disciplined us with love, grit, and honesty that made our music beautiful. You were silly and serious and incredibly proud (though we had to work diligently to impress you!). You taught us about life and honor, and it was so much more than making music, in the end. I miss study halls passed in your back room with the Oreos and milk you kept handy for us. I miss catching the gleam of joy in your eye when we nailed a performance before you turned to the audience. I loved you. We will never forget your legacy.
Miss Pruitt, I still have the silver “Kirnettes” necklace you gave our singing ensemble in the late 1960s. After the death of my brother in 1968, your encouragement kept me going. Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything.
Class of 1993
Miss Pruitte,
You were an inspiration and guide to many of us. Thank you for your kind smile and motivating energy. Ms. Edris, holding you and family in prayer. May her memory be a blessing.
Miss. Pruitte was the best teacher, by far my favorite. She inspired us to do our best, not just in class but in life. I think about her often and the lessons she taught. Rest in peace. Know that you made a difference.
My junior high years were so impacted by time spent singing with the Kirnettes and Miss Pruitt. So much joy and zest she gave to us all. Was great to read how you continued your career at Marian influencing so many. Rest in peace Miss Pruitt.
Blessings to my grade school, high school and college friend, we were also neighbors but you walked a few more blocks from my house. What wonderful memories I have of our friendship and our love for music. At
College of Saint Mary we sang in a group, I even found the picture. Ahe certainly used the talent God gave her to encourage other young people, to give them confidence and a love a music. May she rest in peace.
Class of 1987
Ms. Pruitte was a godsend for me in high school. She pushed me out of my comfort zone and had me try things I probably never would have done otherwise. I have so many memories or her from musicals, show choir, choir and our trip to KC junior year. She taught me the basic fundamentals of music and was such a role model on just how to be a good person. I will always remember the sparkle in her eyes when she smiled. Rest in peace Ms. Pruitte
So sad to hear Miss Pruitte is gone. She taught me so much and built up my confidence immensely. I now teach private voice lessons and vocal direct kids’ shows.
My favorite memories from high school include Miss Pruitte. What an incredible teacher she was. She poured her heart and soul into the choir, and I am forever grateful to have been taught by her. The choir room always felt like home. My prayers are with her family and Ms. Edris. May she rest in eternal peace.
I only had Miss Pruitte for one class, but I will always remember her joyful personality and her playful “little fleas” moniker for her students. She was such a lovely human being. My condolences to her family and Miss Edris. May her memory be a blessing.
Our condolences from the Lubman Family who were Kathy’s neighbors for many years. She was a kind and talented person.
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