How blessed I am that Cathy and I met about 40 years ago, both working for Data General Consultants.  She so significantly helped me through a dark period of my life, introducing me to Bible Study Fellowship, supporting me through a divorce, and afterwards travelling with me to Savannah with a U-Haul to collect pieces of my life and belongings that meant a great deal to me.  We made lemonade out of  lemons on that trip by then travelling up to Charleston and staying in a friend's beach house on Isle of Palms.  Returning to Memphis,   we and two dear friends of hers began watching  "Dallas"  each  week together, bringing a dish for a pot luck dinner and enjoying friendship together.  We also began double-dating, which included water skiing on the weekends--WOW, could she slalom, skimming so lightly across the water (me, like Bambi, just learning how to ski). She was a light in my life.  Sadly, we parted for quite a few years--I remarried a wonderful Christian man raising two son on his own and remained in Memphis --she went off to Colorado.  Years later, after returning to Memphis and her marrying the love of her life then COVID, she surprisingly rang me up and we reunited as if we were never apart. And I have had the blessing of her in my life for another 4 wonderful years even as she was dealing with a serious illness. What incredible strength, faith and love she had and shared with me and others in her life, not knowing the outcome of her illness.  All I can say are words cannot express my love for her past, present and always and yet selfishly, I so very  miss her presence in my life and here on earth. However, I know that her bright light and spirit have moved on to a place more wonderful and I know she is no longer in pain.  She's now skimming across the Living Water.  I love you, Cathleen.  From, your dearest fan, Mare.

Cathy and I grew up together on Rabb St. in Memphis in the 1960’s.  Along with our fellow buddies, Jane and Dixie, we enjoyed a wonderful childhood together, and just living a few houses a part from each other. Riding bikes, roller skating and playing evening kickball in the street with all the other neighborhood kids, created such memories! I remember making homemade biscuits in the morning at her house after a sleepover and trying to water ski (unsuccessfully) with her family on Pickwick Lake. Cathy and I went to Sea Isle elementary, Colonial Jr High and finally, Overton and  many times would walk together to school. She was a cute, sweet girl and a good friend. 
May she finally rest in the arms of Christ and may her memory be a blessing. I know it is for me. 
My condolences and sympathy to her family, especially, Alice, Steve and Rusty, who also touched  my life. 
Ann

I attended Overton High School with Cathy and we graduated together with the Class of 1971. We had several classes together, and I remember her as a beautiful girl, very funny and smart and friendly, and always a pleasure to be around. We had mutual friends, so ran into each other fairly often, and then we met again at several class reunions. She was just a genuinely first-class person. This is a truly sad loss, and all I can do is offer my condolences to her family and all her friends. — Michael Finger

OBITUARY

Cathy Jeanette Laughlin

20 April, 1953 – 18 March, 2025

Collierville Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services