Catherine Howell was born on 22^nd January 1863 and first lived with her grandparents Daniel & Martha John, retired farmers, at Kilrath Cottage, North Narberth. Her sampler, currently exhibited at Narberth Museum, was completed when she was c.13 years old and is typical of the needlework completed by girls as part of their schooling. It is described as having ‘gothic alphabets in subtle shades on a loose scrim background…’

By 1881, Catherine was described as being a ‘pupil teacher’ before being appointed as ‘School Mistress at the Workhouse’ in Narberth in 1886. She later went on to become Assistant Matron and was practising midwifery from July 1901.

The Pembrokeshire Herald & General Advertiser, on 3^rd Apr 1903, reports on a presentation to a ‘Miss Howell’ of Narberth for her dedication to her role at Narberth Board School:

‘… it was high time for Narberthians to show their practical appreciation of Miss C. Howell’s long and valuable services as lnfant Mistress of the Board School.’

 Upon receiving a gold watch, the article describes the ‘recipient’s efficiency, high moral character and her tender care for the little ones under her tutorage…the watch (was given) as a token of respect for so worthy a teacher’

Miss Howell’s impact on the pupils she taught was evident through the presentation of ‘on behalf of the School Children,… a purse of  gold’, while ‘every parent in Narberth reposed implicit confidence in her’. Furthermore, the Headmaster said that it gave him ‘very great pleasure to see that the good people of Narberth had shown their regard for the best co- worker he had ever met’.

The article continues: ‘Miss Howell, who was visibly affected, remarked that she was “very grateful to all for their valuable gifts and kind remarks”. She hoped to please them in future as she had done in the past’.

Catherine Howell’s life was spent in service to her community. By 1939 she was described as a ‘Retired Nurse’ living at 58 St. James Street, Narberth. She died, aged 83, in September 1946.

Ganed Catherine Howell ar 22 Ionawr 1863 ac i ddechrau bu’n byw gyda’i mam-gu a’i thad-cu Daniel a Martha John, ffermwyr a oedd wedi ymddeol, mewn bwthyn o’r enw Kilrath Cottage, yng Ngogledd Arberth. Cwblhawyd ei sampler, sydd i’w gweld yn Amgueddfa Arberth ar hyn o bryd, pan yr oedd tua 13 mlwydd oed ac mae’n nodweddiadol o’r gwniadwaith y byddai merched yn ei greu fel rhan o’u haddysg.  Disgrifir y gwaith fel un a oedd un cynnwys ‘yr wyddor mewn lliwiau ysgafn ar gefndir sgrim llac…’

Erbyn 1881, disgrifiwyd Catherine fel ‘athrawes disgyblion’ cyn ei phenodi fel ‘Athrawes yn y Wyrcws’ yn Arberth yn 1886.  Yn ddiweddarach, aeth ymlaen i fod yn Fetron Cynorthwyol ac roedd yn ymarfer bydwreigiaeth o fis Gorffennaf 1901.

Mewn erthygl yn y Pembrokeshire Herald & General Advertiser, ar 3 Ebrill 1903, ceir adroddiad am gyflwyniad i ‘Miss Howell’ o Arberth am ei hymroddiad i’w rôl yn Ysgol Fwrdd Arberth:

‘… it was high time for Narberthians to show their practical appreciation of Miss C. Howell’s long and valuable services as lnfant Mistress of the Board School.’

Wrth iddi dderbyn oriawr aur, mae’r erthygl yn disgrifio effeithiolrwydd y derbynnydd, ei chymeriad moesegol uchel a’i gofal tirion dros y rhai bach dan ei thiwtoriaeth ac yn nodi y rhoddwyd yr oriawr fel arwydd o barch i athrawes mor deilwng.

Roedd yr effaith a gafodd Miss Howell ar y disgyblion y bu’n eu haddysgu, yn amlwg trwy gyflwyniad ‘ar ran Plant yr Ysgol,… bwrs o aur’, tra bod ‘pob rhiant yn Arberth â hyder llwyr ynddi’.  Ymhellach, dywedodd y Prifathro ei fod yn rhoi iddo ‘bleser o’r mwyaf i weld bod pobl dda Arberth wedi dangos eu parch at y cydweithiwr gorau y bu iddo gwrdd â hi erioed’.

Mae’r erthygl yn mynd ymlaen i ddweud:  ‘Miss Howell, who was visibly affected, remarked that she was “very grateful to all for their valuable gifts and kind remarks”. She hoped to please them in future as she had done in the past’.

Treuliodd Catherine Howell fwyafrif ei bywyd yn gwasanaethu ei chymuned.  Erbyn 1939 disgrifiwyd hi fel ‘Nyrs wedi Ymddeol’ a oedd yn byw yn 58 Stryd St.  James, Arberth.  Bu farw, yn 83 oed, ym mis Medi 1946.