Catherine Ann Fogel

Catherine Ann Fogel, age 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 28, 2025. She was born in 1948 to Madelyn and Jerome Gearhart. She grew up on an active farm with five siblings in Suffield, OH. Cathy attended St. Joseph Elementary and St. Mary’s High School in Akron, OH. She graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education. She also earned a master’s degree in counseling from Georgia State University and an education specialist degree from the University of West Georgia.

She worked in elementary education as a teacher and school counselor for 30 years at various elementary schools in City of Akron, Cobb County, and Cherokee County. Cathy had a lifelong love of learning and traveling throughout the country and abroad. She especially enjoyed river cruises in Europe. She was very social and active in book clubs, neighborhood organizations, and her church community. She loved plants, gardening, photography, yoga, flower arranging and astrology. She cherished going to the beach for the annual family trip to Hilton Head Island, SC.

She lived fully, sharing her love, generosity and spirit with others through laughter and connection. Her warmth as equal as her wit, she mastered infusing depth with sharp humor. Cathy was a woman with strong conviction and championed growth and education of not only herself but others through her many degrees and professional accomplishments. Growing up on a farm, she grew up valuing family and nature, a legacy she passed on. She dedicated herself to being a loving mother and supportive wife while sacrificing many nights to achieve her professional contributions.

Cathy is survived by her spouse of 56 years Rick, her three children Jessica (Peter Stewart), Daniel (Saidie), Benjamin (Sarah), her seven grandchildren James, Katie, Zoe, Margaux, Lucia, Georgiana and Carys, and her siblings Mary Ellen Gooch, Ann Hanson, Jean Bechtel, and Dave Gearhart. She saw her children and grandchildren as her legacy and loved the opportunity to spend time with them.

A funeral for Cathy with me on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Transfiguration Catholic Church, 1815 Blackwell Rd, Marietta, GA 30066.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Transfiguration Catholic Church for a student scholarship fund in Cathy's name here: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-YZ7B/campaign/C-15P3Q.