Catherine Theresa Wood

Catherine Theresa (Gautreaux) Wood, 84, of Mascoutah, Illinois, passed away on Friday, February 28th, 2025. She was born in Opelousas, Louisiana on November 9th, 1940. After meeting her husband, Ron, they got married and then moved to Sturgis, South Dakota shortly after. They started their family and lived there for 29 years. Soon after they retired, they decided to move to warmer weather and started their next chapter of life in Texas. About 3 years ago, she moved here to Brightly Assisted Living in Mascoutah, IL so she could be closer to her family.

During her lifetime, Cathy was a stay home mom until she went to work as the Seamstress for the Veterans Administration Home in Sturgis, SD, where her husband also worked. She devoted her life to God and family. Her family was the most important thing to her. Among Cathy’s many blessings, she was thankful for her wonderful husband whom she shared 46 years together. She believed she was double blessed with her 2 children, David and Connie, and 2 grandchildren, Chris and Mariah. They gave her tremendous pride and joy and she would light up just seeing their faces. She was overjoyed for Chris when he found the love of his life, Sarah, and so happy to have another granddaughter. Some of the grandkids’ fondest memories were the competitive games of playing dominos together. Cathy was an amazing cook and baker, and she loved to share her passion with both her daughter and granddaughter. She loved taking trips during the summer with them and would travel to Louisiana to visit with her sister, Ida, and niece, Ruth. Those were some of her happiest memories. If you knew Cathy, she never missed an occasion to send a card or gift to brighten someone’s day. She had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone. Holiday time was her favorite because she loved being together. Being near or far away, Cathy always made sure that everyone felt special.

She was warmly welcomed into heaven with open arms by her parents, Maurice and Rosemary (Fisher) Gautreaux, 2 brothers, Maurice Jr and Robert Gautreaux, husband, Ron Wood, and her son, David Wood.

Cathy is survived by her daughter, Connie (Steve) Zalesky of Mascoutah, IL, grandson, Chris (Sarah) Zalesky of Dacono, CO, and granddaughter, Mariah Zalesky of Mascoutah, IL, sister, Ida Richard, of Opelousas, LA and niece, Ruth Richard, of Lafayette, LA.

On Saturday, March 8th at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois, there will be a Rosary Service from 10:00-10:30, Visitation will be from 10:30-1:00, and a service will follow at 1:00.