Cathy Della Theodose

Cathy D Theodose, 76, of Lake Wales Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2025, surrounded by love at her daughters’ home in Lynchburg Virginia, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma (minus the part that included needles).

Cathy was born on September 21st, 1949 in Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania. She spent the first few years of her life with her beloved Aunt “Mama Ruth”, Uncle “Papa Nick”, and cousins who were more like siblings; Lawrence, Lois, and Royce in Trafford PA. Cathy was known as “Blondie” while she spent her first years of childhood with the loving Glasgow’s. She was later raised by her mother, Phanetta Liken, father Jack Liken and brother’s John and Lee Liken in Sherwood Village PA.

Cathy is survived by her three children; daughter Jennifer Clark of Urbana Maryland, son Nicholas Clark (wife Sara) of Crozet Virginia, daughter Ashley Crouch (husband Michael) of Lynchburg Virginia, step daughters Terri Kudlack (husband Steve) of Portland Maine and Lynn Theodose (husband Mark) of State College Pennsylvania. Her greatest joy was her 9 grandchildren; Delany, Madisyn, Dillon, Tommy, Kai, Mila, Quincy, Kalie and Aubrie, great-grandchildren; Nicholas, Adeline, Watson, Brayden and Malaiya, as well as, her special grand-dog Ollie. Cathy was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Theodose, after 30 years of marriage. Cathy and Tommy spent many years dancing, traveling, entertaining, sharing their love of Pepsi and fighting over the salt shaker.

Cathy graduated from Central High School in 1967, where she was drum majorette and twirled in the Central High School Band. After graduation, she attended Atlantic Airline School in Hartford Connecticut. She went on to work for TWA in New York City. She later moved to Los Angeles California, Phoenix Arizona, Atlanta Georgia, and Charlottesville Virginia where she held careers with the airlines, medicine, fashion, and eventually retiring while owning her successful businesses as a home daycare provider and seamstress. The children she cared for over the years in her daycare, have always been fondly remembered as “her babies” and she loved following them as they grew, throughout the years. She later retired in Lake Wales, Florida.

There’s a quote by Hunter S. Thompson that summarizes Cathy’s journey in life to a tee: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely, in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a ride’.” Cathy enjoyed spending her days working on her tan at the beach while enjoying a pina colada, shopping, going to shows (especially the concert where she saw Elvis Presley), designing and sewing clothes, reading Danielle Steel novels, collecting Barbie dolls and shoes (especially high heels), entertaining, playing Scrabble or Apples to Apples, traveling, cooking, bowling and being with her family and friends.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions in Cathy's name are asked to consider Glioblastoma Foundation, P.O.Box 62066, Durham, NC 27715

Services will be private.