Mary Catherine Gerard Freeman

When Cathy’s mother had complications during pregnancy, the doctor said the baby had miscarried. Her mother and father prayed to St. Gerard, patron saint of pregnant mothers and unborn children. They asked him to intercede for the life of their child. Signs of life became evident. Mary Catherine Gerard Freeman was born on March 6, 1953. Cathy responded to God’s grace from her beginning.

As a toddler, Cathy joined Joan and Chris in her first professional photo which featured a blonde curl atop her head; the first curl in the growing family. She didn’t stay youngest for long as Francie came the next April, with six more to follow. Cathy’s practice of courageous and patient fortitude was evident throughout her life. Caring for younger siblings, forgiving them for getting into her things and for killing her hamster while she was away at summer camp, teaching needlepoint skills, cooking and cake decorating.

At St. Vincent de Paul she learned to play clarinet and was skillful enough to play in the Marian HS Marching Band while only in 7th grade. Along with Joan and Chris, she spent summers practicing for football games and parades. Cathy attended Marian HS and worked hard at being a good student while participating in many activities. She was friendly with everyone, quickly making close friends, even in grade levels other than her own.

Once, while performing in a parade, she walked several blocks to finish the course after having her foot stepped on by a mounted horse. She practiced always completing her duties without complaint. Failing at times, but growing in heroic virtue as she submitted lovingly to greater restrictions and heavier burdens brought on by MS. She was always excited to reconnect with old friends, even making the extra effort to join Chris at his 40th HS reunion. She didn’t let the need to travel by MetroLift and power chair keep her from this joyful day that she would talk about for weeks. This pattern of not letting her disease slow her down was prevalent throughout her life. Cathy attended Sacred Heart Dominican College and took nursing classes at the University of St. Thomas with the intention of following in her mother’s footsteps as an RN. God had better plans. Anne, Michelle, Bill and finally, Mike. Four precious children!

She was devoutly Catholic and as she had helped younger siblings learn the faith and prepare for their sacraments, she shared her faith with her children and was involved in their schooling and other interests, including Boy Scout Den Mother. Her interest at an early age in Sodality and CYO, blossomed into being an active leader in Bible Study and CCD, Director of Volunteers at St Justyn Martyr, and several positions with Catholic Daughters. More recently her social calendar included the Red Hat Club, cheering on JJ Watt and the Texans and playing her favorite pastime, Bingo!

Cathy gave her all to fight the devastating effects of MS, focusing on the individual. She was involved with MS support groups, helping others with her unfailing outlook, seeing the best in situations, and showing the newly diagnosed “the ropes”. She volunteered with the MS Society, attended Camp Can-Do, and was a loyal cheerleader for countless MS150 bicycle riders. She trusted her faith in God to lead her through this path of illness.

The family wishes to thank all of the people who prayed and cared for Cathy, the many people who brought her the Eucharist from St. Theresa in the Park and St. Maximilian Kolbe, all of her caregivers, especially Alba Rochez, Elisa and Sarina Soto who have become like family to all of us, and Gloria Jones, who God must have hand-picked to take care of Cathy and help shepherd her through the final leg of her journey on this earth.