Funeral Mass celebrated for Tutter McCabe, charter member of Sacred Heart parish

A funeral Mass for Elizabeth Nickerson “Tutter” McCabe, a charter member of Sacred Heart Parish, was celebrated Aug. 2 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Cathedral rector Father David Boettner celebrated the funeral Mass for Mrs. McCabe, who died July 30 with her family by her side. Bishop Richard F. Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali were in choir.

Tutter, as she was known her entire life, was born to the late Anna Mary Nickerson and Marcus Franklin Nickerson on Dec. 28, 1923.

Mrs. McCabe’s family said she lived an exceptional life, centered on her large family. She and her husband, the late Robert A. McCabe Sr., were blessed with 10 children. She is survived by these 10 children, their spouses, 36 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. McCabe and her family became charter members of what was then Sacred Heart Parish, where all 10 children attended first through eighth grades. Her husband died unexpectedly at a young age, leaving Tutter to raise the 10 children, who at the time ranged in age from 19 to 6. Her faith never wavered, and she continued to attend Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral until her death.

Mrs. McCabe is survived by her sons and daughters, Robert Jr. (Jennie), Nancy Van Vleet (Don), Michael (Stephanie), Susan Lorentz (Tim), Patrick (Joy), Ann Bodie (Jerry), Daniel, Laura Harty (Mike), Mary Wolf (Chip), and John (Mandy). Serving as pallbearers during the funeral were Bo Connor, Bruce Fisher, Tom Greer, Kirk Icuss, Preston Matthews, Michael O’Hearn, Paul Pipkin, and Richard Smith.

Priests of the Diocese of Knoxville concelebrated the funeral Mass, with the burial in Highland Memorial Cemetery. The family requested that donations be made to the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 417 Erin Drive, Suite 120, Knoxville, TN 37919.

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