Cathy Jean Blake was born on August 15, 1957, in Michigan, to William and Marion Buchanan. She was one of 3 children born to the family, and grew up in St. Claire Shores. After completing high school and some college, circumstances led Cathy to California with her first born daughter Missy, where Cathy had friends. After some time Cathy and Missy moved to the small mountain town of Bond Colorado, where she worked in the local hotel. This is where she met the love of her life, Todd Blake. Todd was different than Cathy. He was a mountain man, born and raised in the Rockies, and Cathy was a prim and proper city girl. Opposites must attract, because they married and spent the next 34 years together.
Cathy gave Todd two more daughters, Alicia and Jenny. She showered those girls with love and affection and spoiled them rotten by feeding them good food, and spending precious time with them. The family of 5 moved to Elkhart, Texas when the girls were still young, and they were joined by their baby sister, Marion. In Elkhart, Cathy earned the moniker “Bird Lady” because of her raising different birds. There was a whole room in the house devoted to an incubator where she raised chickens and peacocks among others. In her giving nature, whenever the school children wanted a chick, Cathy would hand it through the window of the school bus. Along with her giving nature, she was also very crafty when it came to her family, She would create outfits for Todd and the girls for special occasions.
Cathy and her family moved back to Colorado, this time to Aurora, where she made many happy memories with her children and grandchildren for the last 26 years.
In her life, Cathy touched many people with her generosity and love. She loved to dance, and her favorite color was orange - bright like her spirit. Cathy will be remembered fondly for how outgoing and
honest she was. She was selective in her friends, but her giving nature wanted to make sure everyone was helped, or shown some kind of love. She loved to feed people, even the family dogs, who were made home cooked meals, and served in crystal bowls. If you were hungry, she fed you; if you weren’t
hungry, she was cooking because she knew you would be. If Cathy went shopping, she was going shopping for her husband, her daughters, or one of her grandchildren, never herself, even when she said she was going for herself. In the spirit of how Cathy loved to give her family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Children’s Hospital Colorado by visiting
childrenscolorado.org/community/donate-volunteer, or to the Disabled American Veterans at dav.org.
On January 8th Cathy passed away, unexpectedly. She was 61 years old. Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marion Josephine Buchanan, and her brother, Thomas “Bud” Buchanan. She is deeply missed, and very beloved by those who survive her, including her husband, Todd. Daughters; Missy, Alicia, Jenny and Marion; grandest daughter, Anna; grandchildren, Dryden, Daynna, Arylynn,
Terry, Baby Jean, and Emma; two son-in-laws; Dallas and Robert; best friend Lee; sister, Nancy; sister in law, Dory; Aunt, Rose; and her beloved dogs; Ziggy, Chloe, and Joker, and many other family members and friends.
Cathy was a hard working passionate figure of strength who never wavered in her support or love for her family and friends.
"Thank you mom for everything you have given us and the warmth and love we shared during your precious time here."
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