Cathy Lyssy

She was born on October 22,1942 in St. Louis, Missouri to Spencer and Katie Stocker. She was the oldest daughter and the second of five children. In 1948 the family moved from St. Louis to McAllen, TX, and it was there that she attended grade school at Our Lady of Sorrows, graduated from McAllen High School and met a “boy” from McCook, TX who would steal her heart forever. She married Fred in 1962 and became an official Army wife.

Cathy was the epitome of a dutiful Army Wife and went wherever Fred’s orders took them. Whether that was in Texas, Alabama, Kansas, Washington DC, Heidelberg or Friedberg, Germany, Georgia, California, and a few other states along the way, she always answered the call, gathered the kids (one perfect little girl and three smelly little boys), packed up the house and started all over again. As an Officer’s Wife, she gladly became a mentor and friend to many of the wives of the staff that Fred led. She hosted many gatherings and opened her door to anyone who needed help.

She had a calling for helping others. While raising four kids she decided to enroll in nursing school and became a Registered Nurse. Her specialty was working in OB/GYN. She loved babies and the challenges of labor and delivery. She excelled at her job and was highly respected on the floor. Even with this demanding job, Cathy always put her family first. She was involved at the kid’s schools, chauffeured kids around and made sure that dinner was on the table.

As her kids grew up, left the house, graduated from college, began their careers and started their own families, she jumped into her next calling as “Grandma”. She was born for this role. She cherished her time with each grandchild and showed her love in many different ways. She went out of her way to make each grandchild feel special. If you asked each grandchild who grandma’s favorite grandchild was, they would all answer themselves- and they would all be right!

She is survived by her children Kaye Berman (Steve), Michael Lyssy (Stacy), Stephen Lyssy (Rhonda), Jeff Lyssy (Jennifer), her ten grandchildren Nicole Lyssy, Kendal Lyssy, Julia Williams (Evan), Sophia Lyssy, Spencer Lyssy, Mia Lyssy, Thomas Lyssy, Anne Marie Lyssy, Mary Catherine Lyssy, and Joseph Lyssy. She is also survived by her brother William “Bill” Stocker and her sister Mary (Stocker) Hill.

Cathy had a servant’s heart and was always giving back to her community. Her faith and love for God and the church defined who she was. She was active in her church parish, helped in the local Food Bank and soup kitchens and stressed the importance of “sharing” our blessings. After Fred passed away, she found another calling to become involved in Stephen Ministries through St. Pius X. She attended classes, studied hard and successfully completed the coursework this past year. She was a natural listener, and we all knew that she would bless others with her gift. Her gift for listening to others shined throughout her lifetime. She was a true friend to many. As a Mother, a Grandmother, a Daughter, a Sister, a Wife and a Friend, she always put others first and went out of her way to make sure that we were doing ok.

Cathy was unwavering in her faith and taught us all to make sure that we put God first in our lives. She and Dad taught us what it meant to be a family and to love one another unconditionally.

We will miss her terribly but have peace in our hearts knowing she is reunited with Dad. We love you, Mom.