Benton, NH Catherine Steel, 68, of Howe Hill Road, died unexpectedly, January 25, 2010, at Cottage Hospital, Woodsville, NH. She was born the eldest daughter of Charles and Mary (Bonner) Canning, on July 10, 1941, in the midst of a German air raid during World War II, inside a bomb shelter in Greenock, Scotland. Catherine immigrated to the United States on July 25, 1962 and married Robert D. Steel on September 1, 1962. She became a naturalized citizen in 1966 in San Diego, California. They lived for many years on the West Coast. In 1977 they moved to Toms River, New Jersey, later moving to Benton, NH in June of 1985. Catherine and Robert owned Braeside Real Estate. She was an active communicant of St. Joseph s Catholic Church in Woodsville, NH. She was a very passionate reader and was very inquisitive seeking more knowledge. She also enjoyed knitting, history, and politics. Catherine loved helping people and families, whether in times of crisis or just needing a ride to an appointment. She was an active member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority where she held several offices. She was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Mary Canning; and two brothers, Joseph and William Canning. Survivors include her husband, Robert Steel of Benton; three daughters, Michelle Legare of Woodstock, NH, Gwen Steel of Livingston, NJ, and Theresa Defillipo and husband Michael also of Livingston; a son, John Steel of Las Vegas, NV; two granddaughters and four grandsons; two sisters, Margaret Hitchenson and Bridgett Canning, both in Scotland; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be on Thursday, January 28, from 6 to 8 PM, at the Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch St, Woodsville, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 29, at 2 PM in St. Joseph s Catholic Church, 15 Pine Street, Woodsville, NH. Burial in the spring will be in St. Joseph s Cemetery, Bath, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph s Catholic Church, 21 Pine Street, Woodsville, NH 03785. Memorials will be used for a monument in the cemetery for the Recognition of the Unborn, a project dear to her heart, and to which Cathy was energetically involved.