Catherine, nicknamed “Caddie” or “Kit-Kat,” (Quinn) Bosley of the Shinnecock Reservation died on January 22. She was 96.
She was born on September 4, 1917, at home on the Shinnecock Reservation to Ada and William Quinn, who instilled in her the love and freedom of her homeland. She attended the Shinnecock one-room schoolhouse. Although the school stopped after eighth grade, her interest in education and the world beyond the reservation never did. To support herself, she went to work cleaning and cooking for wealthy families. It was when she was working in New York City that she met a co-worker named Francis Bosley, to whom she was married on October 29, 1937. The couple had three children, Loretta Katherine, Leslie Francis and Lucille Frances.
A strong desire to raise her children on Shinnecock led her to return in 1949 to the reservation, where they built a home. She began working at the Snow White Laundry soon after. She worked at Arrow Laundry until she retired 30 years ago.
Over the years, Ms. Bosley enjoyed visiting with friends and could be seen driving around the reservation until her health no longer allowed her to do so. Survivors said she could best be described as fiesty, and that she would gladly share her opinions. Although she had a few minor health issues, she continued to attend Shinnecock social events, and to participate in functional fitness at the Wellness Center at Southampton Hospital twice a week.
Ms. Bosley was predeceased by her husband, Francis Bosley; and siblings, William, David, Gladys, Evelyn “Sis,” Hilda, Herman and Gertrude. She is survived by a sister, Bessie Marshall of Shinnecock; her children, Loretta Dailey and husband Earl Dailey of Corona, Leslie Bosley and wife Mercedes of Florida, and Lucille Bosley of Shinnecock; grandchildren, Crystal Dailey of Philadelphia, Jayme Bosley of Florida, Deanna Thiele of Flanders, Lisa Johnson of California; and great-grandchildren, Jordyn Dailey Phillips of Philadelphia, Dylan Ford of Flanders, Ciara, Rosario and Stephan Hardy of California. She had a special relationship with her niece, Frances Coard, and her caregiver Jemi Larbi. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, family and friends, all of whom loved and cared for her, survivors said.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Jan 28, 2014