Pawnee — Catherine Lucille Maltby, 89, of Pawnee, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at her home in Pawnee, surrounded by her family.

Catherine was born on July 2, 1936, at her parents' home in South Fork Township, Illinois, the daughter of Francis H. "Doc" and Mary M. Howard O'Brien. She married Vernon LaRue Maltby April 7, 1956, at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Kincaid. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Patrick O'Brien and Michael "Mick" O'Brien; and three sisters, Mary F. Wilson, Irene Hunt and Jerry A. Smith.

Catherine was a 1954 graduate of Pawnee High School. She retired as a supervisor in 1992 from the Illinois Secretary of State after 25 years of service. She also helped her husband, Vernon, on the family farm. She was a member of St. Rita's Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society and was a volunteer at the Pawnee Food Pantry.

She loved to bake and cook with her grandkids and play board games with them. She was affectionally known as "the best cook ever." Catherine also loved to play cards, especially poker with family and friends, and she enjoyed cross stitching and sewing.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Vernon, of Pawnee; four children: Cathy (Jeff) Moore of Pawnee, David (Cinda) Maltby of Ft. Myers, Florida, Sue (George) McDowell of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Lori (Brian) Spelman of Divernon; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and several bonus grandchildren; one sister, Rita Huneke, of Lakeland, Florida; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Catherine's family will meet friends and family from 10:30 a.m. until the time of a funeral Mass at noon Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Kincaid, with Rev. Dan Willenborg officiating. A private burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Pawnee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pawnee Food Pantry, P.O. Box 304, Pawnee, IL 62558.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is honored to serve the family of Catherine Maltby. Online condolences may be shared at www.curryfh.com.