Catharine "Cathy" Phelps Warmbrod

Catharine (Cathy) Phelps Warmbrod, age 94, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024 at Friendship Village of Dublin. Cathy was born in Lost Nation, Iowa on July 2, 1929, daughter of the late Paul E. and Ruth (Langhorst) Phelps. Cathy completed her elementary and high school education in Lost Nation and attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Iowa, majoring in English and Journalism. At the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, she earned a Masters of Science degree in Business Administration and later received an Advanced Certificate in Education (Vocational and Technical Education) After graduate school, Cathy took a position as Head Supervisor of Student Teachers in Business Education at the University of Illinois. It was at the University of Illinois where Cathy met her husband, James Robert (Bob) Warmbrod, on a blind date, arranged by a mutual friend. They were married on January 30, 1965. Cathy and Bob moved to Ohio when Bob accepted a position as Professor in the Department of Agricultural Education at The Ohio State University on January 1, 1967. The couple lived in Upper Arlington nearly 40 years before moving to Friendship Village.

Once in Columbus, Cathy was appointed Chairperson of the Secretarial Science Department at Columbus Technical Institute (now Columbus State Community College). She served in that position until 1977, when she took a position as Research Specialist at the National Center for Research in Vocational Education at the Ohio State University. She retired from the University in 1988 as Research Specialist Emeritus.

Through the years, Cathy and Bob took great pride in their time as Buckeyes and their involvement in the Ohio State University community. They also enjoyed many world travels, from Australia to Russia and cruising the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas and the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers. They immersed themselves in theater, opera, symphony, and ballet. Each summer they enjoyed trips to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada, and the Chautauqua Institution in New York State.

In retirement, Cathy was an active volunteer in her church and community. She served their church, Trinity United Methodist Church, in various council and committee roles. Cathy also participated on several committees and as a docent at The Thurber House. She also was involved in programming and projects for the YWCA, a member of the Crichton Club, and was on the Sustaining Board of ProMusica. Cathy had been involved with the Covenant Presbyterian Church, as an Elder and chairing the Faith Development Committee for the Presbytery. One of her most rewarding roles was her sixteen year tenure on the Board of Trustees for the Friendship Village of Dublin, where she served on the Executive Committee and chaired the Marketing Committee. After serving on the Board of FVD, Cathy and Bob made Friendship Village their home and enjoyed every part of living in this retirement community. In the more than 20 years they lived there, they utilized every care level offered by the facility. Cathy and Bob were valued team members of Friendship Village and their strong commitment and contributions continue to be evident in the community.

Cathy is preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 57 years J. Robert Warmbrod; brother Thomas Phelps; and nephew Tom Phelps. She is survived by nieces Terry (Stover) James of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Janna (David) Findley of Winchester, Tennessee, Jennifer (Mike) Haynes of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Jacqualine (Darrell) Jolley of Belvidere, Tennessee; sister-in-law Joanne Warmbrod Thacher; and brother-in-law Fred Warmbrod of Belvidere, Tennessee. Also surviving Cathy are her great nieces and nephews John Phelps, Andrew Phelps, Matthew Phelps, Claire Jolley Baker, Will Jolley, Emma Haynes, and Ansley Haynes. Much gratitude for the loving kindness shown to Cathy by her family.

Join family and friends on Saturday, March 23, in The Muirfield Room at Friendship Village Dublin at 11:00 am, 6000 Riverside Drive, to share memories and commemorate Cathy's life, with prayer and celebration. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Residents Benevolent Fund of Friendship Village, and the Endowment Fund of Trinity United Methodist Church Foundation. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences. Funeral arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST.