Catalina Rivera Materne (also known to many as Auntie Nina) died March 26, 2005, at her home in Oak Harbor at the age of 81 after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 23, 1923, in Agana, Guam, to Ignacio Ujolla and Marie (San Nicolas) Rivera. Nina’s father died when she was young and she was raised by her mother. She was the youngest of eight children (Ignacio, Manual, Miguel, Juan, Joaquin, Maria and Jose).

Catalina had a wonderful and amazing life including surviving the hardships of the war in World War II when the Japanese forces invaded Guam shortly after they attacked Pearl Harbor. Catalina was forced to spend time in the Japanese concentration camp, having to stand in line for rations, bow to Japanese soldiers and live in a cave with her mother and others, including the parents of her future husband Jose “Joe” Materne. Joe was serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Salt Lake City. Joe’s ship was out of position and avoided the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The U.S. forces eventually invaded the island and the citizens of Guam were liberated and were taken to a refugee camp, where they found beds and food. It was there that she was introduced to the love of her life, Joe Materne, whose ship had been sent to Guam.

Nina and Joe were married in Agana, Guam, on May 4, 1946. Joe remained in the Navy after the war and three of their children (Cathy, Joe and Rudy) were born in Guam. The Navy transferred the Maternes to San Diego, Calif., where their youngest, Janice was born. From there, they transferred to Albuquerque, N.M., and Alameda, Calif. In 1963, they were sent to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and Oak Harbor has since been their residence.

Nina and Joe returned to Guam years later to celebrate the anniversary of the liberation of Guam, where her husband Joe was honored as one of the Grand Marshals. 

Catalina had a love for God and would spend days each and every Christmas, building a nativity scene in their living room where the Guam community would gather there for the nightly novena (prayer). The Novena would end on New Year’s day with a big feast where they loved to celebrate this time to eat and cha-cha the night away with family, friends and relatives. Nina loved to crochet, play bingo and poker, dance and sing, especially karaoke, and listen to island music. She loved her family very much. Joe always treated her as his “Princess.” She was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church.

Nina is survived by her son, Joseph Rivera Materne of Kent and his daughter Tiffany, her son Rudy Rivera Materne of Oak Harbor and his daughters, Katrina, Kari and Melanya, her daughter Janice Materne Creamer and husband Robert of Mukilteo and her children, Kaila and Trenton, her daughter Amparo R. Enriquez and her husband Cristobal of Guam and their children, Roland and his wife Julie, Josephine, Crisalda, Christopher Jr., Roger, Grace, and Lucy Ann, and her grandsons (Kathy’s sons), Butch of Everett, Jon and his wife Candice of Canada and Monte and his wife Caryl of Oak Harbor. Nina’s great-grandchildren include Angel, Dakota, Nicolas, Shelby, Casey, Corey, Koryssa, Sheridan, Koleman, Roland, Rielly, Rollie, Jeralyne, Ariel, Justin, Jared, Manual, Gerald, Jose, Kaela, Beyonnce and Aubrina. She was preceded in death by her husband Jose “Joe” Materne, her daughter Katherine Materne Steveson and grandson Alonzo Steveson.  

Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. each night at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church located at 185 N. Oak Harbor St., Oak Harbor, WA  98277 through Monday, April 4.  Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.mm. at Burley Funeral Chapel at 30 SE Ely Oak Harbor. Rosary will be said on Friday evening at 6 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church with a Vigil Service (including sharing memories of Catalina) to follow at 7 p.m.  Visitation will continue at St. Augustine’s Churchon Saturday, April 2, from 9 to 10:45 a.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 2, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Ronald Belisle, Celebrant. Rites of Committal will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Oak Harbor. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Old Goldie Road. All dates times are tentative.  Please call Burley Funeral Chapel at 675-3192 for confirmation.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.