Catherine Miriam Lawlor (Cathey)
Catherine Miriam Lawlor (Cathey)was born July 2, 1943, in Los Angeles, CA, and died May 21, 2017, in Porterville, CA
She was the daughter of Thomas Joseph Lawlor & Marian Elizabeth Lawlor, and resided at Sierra Hills Retirement Center in Porterville, Ca. since 2003.
She is survived by sisters Ann Pelikan of Jacksonville, NC; Mickie Manning of Porterville, CA; Mary O'hara of Chicago, IL; Margaret Torpey (Michael) of San Francisco, CA; Maureen Lawlor (Bernard Guella) of Oakland, CA. Sisters-inlaw Lynne Lawlor of Torrance, CA; Sylvia Lawlor of Torrance, CA; Carole Lawlor of Chatsworth, CA; Aunt Thelma Kenney of Los Angeles. Dozens of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends. Predeceased by her parents; brothers Patrick, Thomas Joseph, & Daniel; brother-in-law Robert Pelikan.
A true Angeleno, Cathey was born, educated, worked, and lived in Los Angeles for sixty years, specifically Beverly Hills, west Los Angeles, & Culver City. She graduated from St. Mary Magdalen elementary school, and Notre Dame Academy, where she served as a Class Officer and Senior Princess. After working several years as an Administrative Assistant for various Beverly Hills banks, Cathey transferred her skills to Office Management for private medical offices, combining her professional, organizational talents with an outgoing, welcoming personality and radiant smile.
Cathey loved to travel, and her adventurous spirit took her to China & Russia long before they were common destination points. She also toured Europe, with multiple trips to Ireland for visits with family. An interest in Scottish Country Dancing soon became a consuming passion for her, with weekly classes, dances and celebratory dinners. She served as President of the Los Angeles chapter of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society; a particular highlight was performing at the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics in the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Cathey's devotion to her family was paramount. She took an active interest in the lives of all her siblings, nephews and nieces, and was generous with gifts, trips, and "friendly advice".
She will be greatly missed by several generations who will miss her phone calls!
Her family sends special thanks to the staff of Sun Villa Convalescent Hospital, who made her last weeks as comfortable as possible.
A Memorial Mass and Reception will be heldat Holy Cross Cemetery in Los Angeles on July 7 at 11:OO a.m. Persons wishing to honor Cathey are welcome to donate to the Dan Lawlor Spirit Award at Chaminade College Preparatory High School in Chatsworth, CA, or to the charity of their choice.