Catherine Martin
April 29, 1944 ~ August 8, 2016
Cathy McCormick Martin 72, of Cedar Rapids passed away peacefully on August 8, 2016. Memorial Service: 11 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2016, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
She is survived by her son, Brian (Amy) Martin of Cedar Rapids; three grandchildren, Kaleigh, Molly and Jack; brother, Don (Linda) McCormick of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel; parents, Bernard and Irene (Voss) McCormick; son, Richard Martin; and brothers, Melvin and Robert.
Cathy cared for and guided many young children as a preschool teacher with the City of Cedar Rapids, loved baking cookies and fishing. Her love for life, family, and friends was best exemplified by her 15 year battle with Parkinson's disease and unwavering spirt and determination to continue her life's journey.
Memorials may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at michaeljfox.org in Cathy's name.
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Cathy was my aunt. She never rose her voice but she was a great cheerleader. I was always welcome at her house and she let me know. Her whole life was spent helping another person.
I worked with Cathy right out of high school at Five Seasons Daycare. She was very dedicated to families and children in her classroom. I also remember that she had a class pet that was a very large rabbit. The rabbit would run around the classroom and eve had a space outside to hang out. I am thinking of your family at this time and wish you well through your loss.
Sara Jayne
We worked together for 15 yrs and friends for 30. Cathy was my ‘work mom’ and could always count one her sound judgement to calm me. She helped raise hundreds of children and the world is a better place because of her. Gods speed my friend.
Kathy Mc
I had the privilege of taking communion and praying with Cathy every Sunday morning for many, many months. I did not know her before that but so enjoyed the time I spent with her. Also was able to visit her a few times when she no longer could live at home. She was always talking about her son and his family. So sorry for your loss. Pat Robertson
Cathy and Dan were some of the best people we ever knew. They were both there for us when we lost our son, and we continued to be friends over the years. We had so much fun getting together for meals and holidays. Cathy always had special gifts for our grandchildren and I will never forget the rose bush she gave me for Mother’s Day. I am going to miss her cheerful personality and the smile in her eyes. I’m so glad she can be together with her Dan, along with their son, Rick. And I hope she holds a place for me next to her in heaven. God Bless you Cathy.
Many fond memories of Cathy while I was growing up at St. Joseph Church. May she rest in Peace.
Condolences to Brian & Amy and family; and to Don and Linda; and Julie and Marsha:
I always saw Cathy as a gentle, sweet lady – like her mother, Irene; always a smile and only kind words. Surely she was a blessing to many others over all the years. God bless her and keep her in His Grace. Unable to be with you in person but will pray and be there in spirit. I have to think my Mother, Evelyn, will be with you in spirit and has already had loving arms around Cathy on the other side. She loved the McCormick Family. // Jack & Lorna Fesler
We had the pleasure of meeting Cathy when two of my children started reading to the residents at Higley Mansion. My older child, Estelle, is a strong reader and had a group of residents listen to her books every week. My younger child, Kriene, is more shy but wanted to participate too. Roxanne thought Cathy would be a good fit, with her education background and kind heart. In the year and a half that followed, Kriene and Cathy had a wonderful bond. Kriene would look forward to reading to Cathy and she would help him become a better reader. She was always encouraging and supportive to him. They would even sometimes go back t o her room and do puzzles together while Estelle finished up doing her reading. We are so sad to hear about Cathy passing, but we feel very fortunate to have known her. She was a wonderful person.