Catherine Joyce Lidl

Catherine Joyce Lidl, aged 86, of Novato, CA, passed away peacefully on March 10th, at Monterey Community Hospital, following a short illness. Born on October 28, 1938, Cathy led a full and meaningful life, filled with love, kindness, and a deep commitment to family and her church.

Throughout her life, Cathy was known for her Catholic faith that inspired a profound commitment to helping those in her community that needed help the most. Raised in Cumberland, Maryland, Cathy was trained as a teacher at Frostburg State and moved to Washington D.C. as a young professional woman. There she met Max and they embarked on an amazing journey that brought them professional achievements across the country and eventually around the globe, with multiple stops in Michigan, California, the UK and Hong Kong. Cathy and Max were joined along the way by three children, a number of dogs and an ever-growing network of friends and colleagues who shared their passions for good food, great travel experiences, mystery novels and current events.

Cathy took enormous pleasure in creating homes wherever they landed that were welcoming, beautiful and filled with her ever-growing collection of cookbooks, from which she would make delicious meals (without ever actually following the recipes very strictly). At the same time, Cathy found community in the church parishes they joined along the way, always eager to jump in and lend a hand to charity organizations and local chapters of the American Association of University Women.

When she and Max retired to the dream home they designed for themselves in Marin County, Cathy was able to devote herself to visiting grandchildren, reconnecting with old friends, reading multiple newspapers a day, passionate grocery shopping, supporting many charitable and Democratic causes and volunteering at a local soup kitchen. She and Max enjoyed their retirement years enormously, mostly in good health and always in good cheer.

Catherine is survived by her husband Maximilian Lidl, and her children Erich Lidl, Karen Lidl and Bruce Lidl, daughters-in-law Maureen Lidl and Rachel Teagle and grandchildren, Kate DeFreese, Caroline Lidl, Max Lidl, Beatrix Lidl and Zeke Lidl. Her love and guidance will be greatly missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who were fortunate enough to know her.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations (https://www.wesharegiving.org/app/giving/WeShare-20000697?tab=home) be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Saint Raphael in honor of Catherine’s legacy of kindness and generosity. The family extends their deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.