Catherine Elizabeth Allegrina

Catherine (Yuchasz) Allegrina

As an artist with a sense of wonder and a personal philosophy of love, service, and — above all — faith, Catherine (Yuchasz) Allegrina touched many lives. She died at 83, surrounded by family in her home on August 25 after an extended illness.

Catherine was born in Detroit on December 3, 1942. Her family relocated to Kewadin in 1946 and left a mark on Elk Rapids. “We grew up being taught that you give to your family and your church and your community,” Catherine said.

She graduated from Elk Rapids High School in 1961. Her 44-member graduating class remained in close contact. A group of classmates met for lunch monthly at Catherine’s house as recently as a week before her passing.

She attended St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Ind. to study art. After she married her first husband, John “Jack” Bowe in 1964, she took a break from her studies. Her eldest children, Mary and Michael, were born 1965 and 1966, and they accompanied her to classes while she finished her degree in 1969. Her youngest son, Brian, arrived in 1972.

Catherine and her children settled in Holland, Mich. in 1979. Following the death of her mother in 1991, she moved back to Kewadin to care for her father. She remained in the family home after he died in 1994 and spent the rest of her life as a fixture in the community. In 1997 she met John Allegrina — the father of her daughter-in-law Heather — at their children’s wedding rehearsal. A romance blossomed and they were married in 2005, living happily until John’s sudden death in 2009.

She worked in administrative roles at EST, Inc., RJG Technologies and Emergency Consultants, Inc. For years, she worked part time with her brother at the Elk Rapids Cinema, doing bookkeeping, selling concessions and bonding with her brother.

Faith was a central pillar of Catherine’s life. She was a long-standing member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elk Rapids, where she served as eucharistic minister and taught catechism.

Catherine was a multi-disciplinary artist – painter, sculptor, fiber artist. Later in life, she specialized in a type of paper filigree called quilling. One of her greatest joys was teaching arts and crafts to children – not for pay but for the love of creativity. She would have a look of joy on her face as she watched them work.

Catherine entered hospice care at the beginning of 2026. As her illness progressed, her family served as her “pit crew.” She particularly loved spending time with her daughters-in-law Lisa and Heather, who enjoyed pampering her. “We’ve gotten to know each other better and love each other more. It’s been wonderful,” Catherine said.

As the end approached, she was at peace. “I’m not afraid. I’ve made all the choices. I’ve covered all the bases as best as I could,” she said. “I’m the captain of my ship and I’m going to steer it into the dock.”

Catherine is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph F. and Mary Yuchasz, her siblings Joseph W. Yuchasz and Evelyn “Lyn” Moore, and her husband, John Allegrina. She is survived by her daughter Mary (Fidel) Vasquez and her sons Michael (Lisa) Bowe and Brian (Heather) Bowe, and her grandsons Antonio and Dominic Vasquez. She is also survived by her step grandson Aaron (Kali) Vasquez, great grand-son Adan and great-granddaughter Aurora.

Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Sept. 2. Visitation is at 10 a.m., and Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Afterward, burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery will be followed by a luncheon.

Arrangements are under the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.