Catherine Elizabeth French

Catherine Elizabeth Plautz was born on August 21, 1938 in Beloit, Wisconsin. She started piano lessons when she turned five. She graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1956 where she was a member of the high school band and an award- winning public speaker. While there, she was a recipient of a Wisconsin Music Federation scholarship to attend Interlochen, a national music camp in Michigan.

She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin for two years as a music major. She did not complete her college education because she met her future husband, Jack French, whom she married in August 1958.

Due to Jack’s position in the Navy and then later with the FBI, the family moved frequently. Consequently, all six of her children were born in a different state.

While in their first home in Granite City, IL, Cathy and Jack became involved with two local performing groups: Masquers theatre company and FAME East, a musical variety show. Cathy played piano, sang and occasionally danced. Jack and most of their children performed as actors.

After a twelve-year residence in Illinois, the family moved to and settled in Fairfax, Virginia. Cathy returned to school and received her Bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in 1987.

She converted the basement into her music studio and began giving piano lessons. She completed her Master’s degree, also from GMU, in 1993. She became an in-demand accompanist for many area musicians and singers. Her talent allowed her to play at the Kennedy Center, an embassy in D.C., multiple churches, theater productions as well as student recitals at George Mason University.

Through the years, she decided to devote more time to her other interests which included gardening, knitting, bird watching, shopping for antique treasures and jigsaw puzzles. Every summer she rented a house at the beach and all the children were welcome.

She is survived by her six children, nine grandchildren and three great grand-children.

A remarkable life was extinguished by her death and no one who ever met Cathy will forget her.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Cathy’s name may be made to Heifer.org, an organization that invests in farmers and business owners around the world with the power to change entire communities.

Please join the family for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 12th from 1pm to 4pm at 5137 Richadson Drive, Fairfax, VA 22032

Family will gather to share some favorite memories, stories, and love as they remember an celebrate her. Please wear something purple in Cathy's honor, it was her favorite color.