Catherine Iannizzotto Boemio

Catherine was a strong advocate for education. In lieu of flowers a fund has been set up to help offset college costs for her children still in college, Christina & Vincent. Please send donations to- Ali Burt

7301 Ranch Road 620 N

Suite 155 #368

Austin, Tx 78726-4537

Cathy’s Eulogy by Maria Sheridan

My last gift to my very sweet, dear sister, who I love more than life, and will miss even more.

Last week when Cath was in the hospital, she was visited by many family and friends; and in the times when she was awake, we would all gather around her and talk to her and pray with her. In one moment when she awoke, she opened her eyes to see all of us surrounding her, looked from one of us to the other, her eyes growing wider with amazement and sparkling with recognition, and as she waved to us, and blew us a kiss, she said “Holy Cow. It’s unbelievable you’re all here.”

I know Cath is sitting with the angels right now, wide-eyed and amazed, looking at us and saying “Holy Cow! It’s unbelievable you’re all here. “

How apropos! How Cathy!

Cathy – ever humble, most unassuming, and totally selfless – because it was never about her, it was always about everyone else in her life who she loved.

Even in her most painful and trying moments, she worried about everyone else around her, and ALWAYS made herself last. Last week again, as Mom was sitting by her side, holding her hand, Cat looked at Mom, sensed Mom’s worry and concern, and whispered, “Don’t worry Mom. I’ll be alright.”

And she believed she would be all right, because of her fierce determination, her unwavering will to live, and her strong faith that God would heal her. She read her Bible constantly, searching for the words to comfort her, give her the strength and understanding to endure the trials of her treatment, because she believed so strongly her treatments – no matter how harsh, or painful, were the ticket to her getting well again, so she would be able to care for all of us. Cat never backed down, never gave up, would never say die. She was going to beat the cancer that was taking her away from her family.

One of the many excerpts she found in the bible that she’d underlined and read and re-read were the words of the Philippians, “. . I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation . . I can do all this through Him who gives me strength”. And strength she had.

I would so often hang up from her, realizing that we’d spend the entire conversation talking about everything but her pain and suffering. It was always about someone else. When I asked how she felt, she’d never say bad – if it was a good day, when the pain was low, she’d say “great”; and if she was having a bad day, she shrug off the question, and change the subject.

Cat was there for us always, – whenever any of us would call her - day or night, she’d put her pain and chores and tasks aside, to listen and give guidance, and strength and encouragement, to solve whatever problem we brought to her, big or small.

For me, she was my lifeline to every question I had, dilemma I struggled with, or problem I faced; Cat was the one I’d call to fill in the blanks, remember the author I’d forgotten, the artist of my favorite painting that I couldn’t remember, the singer of my favorite song where I could only remember one phrase of the lyrics. She always knew the answer – even when my clues would be something like – “you know, cath, the blond actress, in that movie you liked.”

We did so much together, it was hard to say where she began and I picked up. She was the ying, I was the yang. She completed my sentences, said what I was thinking. We’d belt out the same random phrase, and Vin would look at us, and say, “you two are incredible.”

Well, one of us was incredible, and it wasn’t me.

Cathy embodies everything good and beautiful.

She is selfless and kind.

She is loving and nurturing.

She is sweet and warm.

She is encouraging and patient.

She is funny, and smart;

She is brave and courageous; and fearless.

And she is so humble, that she doesn’t even know it.

When I think of Cathy, I think of the legend that says hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration.

Hummingbirds open our eyes to the wonder of the world and inspire us to open our hearts to loved ones and friends.

Like a hummingbird we aspire to hover and savor every moment as it passes, embrace all that life has to offer and celebrate the joy of everyday. The Hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation.

Here is to the hummingbird that flew into our life and made it sing.

We will miss you, Cat, and love you forever.