Catherine was the first child of Alexander Reid and Theresa O'Brien, Scottish immigrants who met in the United States and married in Detroit in 1927. Catherine was proud of her Scottish heritage, and always spoke fondly of an eight-month stay that she had in Scotland when she was 9 years old.
A great advocate of education and a lifelong learner, Catherine graduated from Mercy High School in Detroit, and attended Mercy College on a scholarship, receiving a bachelor's degree in Biology. She later received a master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan, and spent 25 years as a school social worker at Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn.
In retirement, Catherine continued to learn and read voraciously, finding particular interest in history, politics, and food writing. Together with her husband, Catherine supported Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the University of Michigan. Wherever Catherine traveled, she was sure to seek out a news stand carrying The New York Times.
Catherine is survived by her husband of 63 years, Edwin Marcus; by her loving children Sheila Marcus, Jacqueline Humitz (Marcus), and Anni Marcus; by grandchildren Ben, Alexander, Colin, Dylan and Cailey; and by her great granddaughter Claire; and a great-granddaughter Claire.
Catherine's family held a small memorial service for her on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Catherine's name to causes she cared about: Doctor's Without Borders (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/), continuing education with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at U-M (https://www.olli-umich.org/), or women's empowerment and education with CARE (www.care.org/). Remembrances can be directed to Muehlig Funeral Chapel.
