Colorado Springs passed away peacefully on June 19, 2020. She was the second of two girls,
born on February 7, 1928 in Paxton, Illinois, to John Novak and Margaret Keegan Novak.
Cathy grew up in Paxton and attended Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri where she
studied fashion and design.
Following her passion for travel and adventure, Cathy was selected by the U.S. State
Department’s Foreign Service in 1952. She worked in the U.S. Embassy in Bonn, Germany
until 1956. Cathy met her husband Sgt. Major USMC Thaddeus “Ted” Gembczynski at the
embassy where he was serving as a U.S. Marine following his service in the Korean War. They
were married in Germany on March 1, 1956.
Returning to the United States shortly thereafter, Ted and Cathy began their married life in
Boulder, Colorado. Cathy was a homemaker who enjoyed her children, sewing, puzzles, and
reading. Ted and Cathy had three children: Margaret Ann, Suzan Elizabeth, and Thaddeus
Frank Jr. The Gembczynski family enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, swimming, skiing, raising
Boxers, and later, Golden Retrievers. Cathy was always enthusiastic about having her
children and grandchildren travel and explore their own unique interests.
After moving to the Denver area, Cathy began working as a bookkeeper for Hamilton Brothers
Oil Company. She enjoyed her bus rides to work in downtown Denver and became an even
more avid reader during her commutes. Eventually the family moved to Franktown until finally
she and Ted settled in Colorado Springs. During the time their son, Thad, attended CU
Boulder, Cathy and Ted became active in the group of founders of the CU Directors Club. Over
the coming years Cathy became an avid Buffs fan. After retirement she joined her daughter
Suzan on the campus of MSU Denver to audit any class that sparked her interest.
Although she was raised in the Catholic faith, Cathy fed her spiritual needs by connecting with
nature. She used to say, “If all families could ski together on Sundays, the world would be a
better place!” She was so proud to be able to ski with her grandchildren into her later years.
Cathy and Ted were delighted to have their eldest daughter Margaret living and teaching
abroad as they were able to visit many exotic locations including India and Africa.
She loved being a Grandmom to her five beautiful granddaughters. In her later years,
she continued to read, knit, and work cryptographic puzzles in the daily newspaper.
Cathy was preceded in death by her sister Rita (Boni) Dy and her granddaughter Emily
Elizabeth Dee. She is survived by her husband, her children Margaret (David) Bell, Suzan Dee
(David Heckel), and Thaddeus (Leslie Dee) Gembczynski. Also surviving are her
grandchildren; Caytlyn Dee (Hardy Stafford), Brenna Dee (Blake Neville), Kathleen
Gembczynski, and Elizabeth Gembczynski.
Catherine held a special affinity for North American Indigenous People. Memorial
contributions made to organizations that support them would be greatly appreciated.
Cremation services provided by Swan Law Funeral Directors. A memorial will be held at a date to be announced.
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