Catherine Ann Giglio Morrison

Catherine Ann Giglio Morrison was born on February 21, 1931, in Beaumont, Texas, to Charles S and Antoinette Cuchia Giglio. She passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022, after a brief period of illness. Catherine led a life of service to God, family, and friends. Through it all she exhibited a positive attitude, deep gratitude, and a trust in her relationship with God.

Catherine’s father was a wholesale grocer establishing his business in Beaumont after moving here from Cefalu, Sicily. Her mother, Antoinette, was a Sicilian-American whose parents were also from Cefalu. Catherine was the last of five children born to the couple.

Catherine attended Saint Anne’s Catholic School and graduated from Saint Anthony High School in 1948. She attended college at Lamar State College, later Lamar University, and the University of Texas at Austin. She did not complete her degree plan but admitted that she had “lots of fun”.

In 1956, Catherine married Frank William (Bill) Morrison, Jr. Bill worked in the family business, the Morrison Wholesale Grocery Company, in downtown Beaumont. Catherine worked for The Coastal Cattle Association and, later, Southern Electric, a home lighting company, as a secretary, until 1957 when their first child, Michael Todd Morrison, was born. In 1961 they would add a second son, Frank William Morrison III.

The family company was very successful, and it allowed them to buy a ranch in Bandera County. Bill was able to retire early, and he was an avid hunter. The ranch proved to be a central location in their life. Catherine discovered that she loved to hunt also. They hunted deer, dove, and exotic game on the ranch. Many times they celebrated Thanksgiving at the ranch. They owned the ranch for 30 years.

The Giglio children were all very successful in their own right. Oldest brother Sam was a well-regarded salesman and very active in local civic events. J.C. was the founder of Giglio Distributing. Sister Julian (Joyce) Giglio OP was a Dominican Sister and principal of Saint Anne’s School in Beaumont and Saint Catherine’s in Port Arthur.  Brother Frank Giglio was a prominent OB/GYN doctor in Beaumont.

Catherine was, in her own way, a pivotal civic activist. Her oldest son, Mike, was born with Downs Syndrome. In the late 1960’s, Catherine and a few other parents, whose children had special needs, decided that Special Education in the public schools did not go far enough to assist these children. Catherine and these parents lobbied the Texas State Legislature to establish a facility to assist special needs citizens after they left the public school system. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of the Beaumont State Center for Human Development which is now called The Spindletop Center.

An important part of The Spindletop Center is the Spindletop Center Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Services.  Catherine has served, until recently, as a member of the IDD Public Advisory Committee. Catherine believed that IDD provided inestimable social services and opportunities to the special needs citizens of Jefferson County. It provided dances, rodeos, an annual IDD Fun Day, and assisted in Special Olympics. Mike is still a member of Spindletop Center IDD and competed in swimming in Special Olympics.  He is 65 years of age.

Catherine also loved working out. She attended fitness classes for the last 50 years. She said she had many good teachers and made many good friends in the gym. She continued to attend workouts Monday through Friday into her 91^st year.

If it has not been evident, Catherine loved her family. Catherine said that her son, Frank and wife Jessica, were a joy to her. After husband Bill’s death in 2002, Frank took on big responsibilities in the family. She dearly loved her granddaughter, Alecia, grandson, Cory, and great grandson, Morrison.

Catherine also had great love for her nieces and nephews. She said, “My brothers’ children have been wonderful to me and Mike. Words can’t express how much I love each of them.”

In the end, Catherine said she would like to be remembered as a person with a great sense of humor. She stated,” Can’t imagine life without it.”.

Catherine Ann Giglio Morrison was preceded in death by her parents, Charles S and Antoinette Cuchia Giglio, husband, Frank (Bill) William Morrison, Jr., brothers, Sam, J.C., and Frank Giglio, sister, Sister Julian (Joyce) Giglio OP.

Catherine is survived by sons, Michael Todd Morrison of Beaumont, Frank William Morrison III and wife, Jessica of Austin, grandson, Cory Frank Morrison of Austin, granddaughter, Alecia Morrison Williams and husband, Sam of Llano, and great grandson, Morrison Reed Williams of Llano.

Memorial contributions for Mrs. Morrison may be made to Spindletop Center IDD Services, P.O. Box 3846, Beaumont, Texas 77704.

A Rosary for Mrs. Morrison will be recited at 6:00 p.m., with a gathering of family and friends to follow, Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 6, 2022, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.