Catherine Darlene Moran

Catherine Darlene Moran, age 86, of Lee’s Summit, MO passed away November 7th at her residence in Lee’s Summit, MO. Cathy was born in Macon, MO in 1938 and later moved to Kansas City while a young child. She is preceded in death by her parents, Father (Cleo Lavone Hudson) and Mother (Helen Louise Hudson) and her brother (Robert Lee Hudson).

Cathy grew up in the Northeast Kansas City area, graduating from Northeast High School in 1956. Throughout high school, Cathy along with her best friend Carol Sue Young developed a friendship that would last a lifetime extending well past graduation, marriage and children. Both loved Northeast High School so much that that ended up serving on the Northeast Class of 56 Reunion Committee every year. Much Love & thanks to Jim Romero (Carol’s husband). Besides being such a great guy, he also served as a stand-up Dad to Carol’s kids from her first marriage.

Upon graduation, Cathy started working full time for Southwestern Bell and eventually became friends with Evelyn Moran (Dale’s younger sister). Evelyn, “the stunning Red Head” and Cathy, “the cute little Blonde” were a pair to draw to. Both ladies were extremely attractive, drawing the advances from “all the young dudes” including Dale and his buddies.

And to Cathy’s delight, Evelyn introduces Cathy to her brother, the Good-Looking guy driving a “Hot” Turquoise Blue 57 Chevy. The car she fell in love with right away (Turquoise was her favorite color). Dale always thought it was his charming personality and good looks that had Cathy eventually falling in love with him too.

During her employment Southwestern Bell, Cathy and Dale started dating and culminating in their marriage in June. Followed by their first-born child in February 1958, Lawrence Dale Moran (Larry) and their second child in February 1963, Patrick Joseph Moran (Pat). With two boys already in the family, Cathy also wanted a girl and ended up just raising the two boys.

Cathy was a fantastic mother getting involved in Cub Scouts and served as Larry’s Cub Scout “den mother”. She made sure he was dressed the part and on the way to a Boy Scout “Best Dressed” competition noticed Larry’s shoes could use a little help. So, she stopped on their way there to pick up some shoe polish. It turned out to be the deciding factor as Larry went on to win the competition.

With Dale selling his 57 Chevy (again Cathy loved this car), much to Cathy’s dismay, Dale’s judgement came under scrutiny opting for new-fangled car (The Corvair) a rear engine model that needless to say didn’t get Cathy’s love or approval. Deciding she needed something else to replace her beloved 57 Chevy, she prayed about this turning it over to her Lord and Savior (Jesus Christ) to. Her prayer was answered as she stepped her involvement with the Swope Park Baptist Church located at Meyer Blvd & Prospect.

At any rate, Cathy became very active at the church, singing in the choir, attending bible studies on Wednesday evenings taking her 2 sons to church every Sunday. Cathy’s love for the Lord and church leads the way for Larry to accept Christ as his savior at age 7. While his younger brother Pat was only 2 years old at the time, was making sure that the nursery workers knew his name.

Doing such a fine job with the family church life, it was time put her focus on sports with Larry playing his first year of baseball on the Swope Park Baptist little league team. Games were played at the Southeast Baseball Association located at 69th & Elmwood. Living nearby at 62nd & Elmwood, Dale and Cathy became best friends with neighbors Hal and Lori Cook (later know as Uncle Hal and Aunt Lori to Pat and Larry).

The friendship proved to be long lasting even though Dale and Cathy moved from Elmwood to 72nd and Norton before eventually following Hal, Lori and their children (Wanell, Danny, and Tammy) to Dale & Cathy’s new Lee’s Summit home that they had custom built in 1968. With Cathy and her family being avid bowlers, Lori went on to be Cathy’s “partner in crime” on Bowling For Dollars hosted by Channel 9 weatherman, Fred Broski.

With Dale actively involved with the Southeast Baseball Association baseball and Cathy actively involved with church, the drive from Lee’s Summit seemed to grow much shorter overtime as countless trips were made to church, baseball and her parent’s (Cleo & Louise Hudson) house across from Fairy Land Amusement Park located at 75th and Prospect. With a “Mugs Up” root beer-stand on the corner, Cathy developed a fondness for their hamburgers called the “Zip Burger” (having to continue her love affair with the burger at A&W Root-Beer, who replaced Mugs Up yet kept Cathy’s now infamous “Zip Burger” as they kept going even to this very day.

Back to baseball, by now Cathy’s youngest son, Pat (Patrick) has been patiently waiting for his time to come and he’s developed into a hand full. Yet, he’s a good son and now has a shot at playing for a good team, Jerry’s Sport Shop and makes the most of his opportunity. With Cathy in the stands cheering us on, you never felt like you would ever lose. For the most part, Jerry’s Sport Shop and Larry’s new played on two other teams advancing to play for Cathy and Dale’s very close friends Larry and Paula Kinnison with son Jeff and daughter Michelle.

Cathy loved being at the ballpark as other family friends that coached Pat & Larry, Norman Sousley along with his Helen and daughter (Janie). Cathy really enjoyed spending time with them and her parents as Cleo and Louise we like family. And another family favorite was the Rizzos (Matt Sr., Rosie, Pat, and Matt Jr.).

Meanwhile back in Lee’s Summit, Cathy didn’t know a lot of people like she did in Kansas City. So, when her brother (Bob Hudson) came calling to have her join him at BA (Burnstein and Applebee’s a high-fidelity store a cross between Radio Shack & Circuit City) she gladly accepted. Cathy, being a social butterfly, was right at home working for BA starting Brookside store and later transferring to store at the Blue Ridge Mall. From there, Cathy goes on to meet tons of people and life-long friends (too many to mention). It was an absolute paradise for her.

Spending approximately 8 years at BA, Cathy moves on to receptionist position with American Ingredients in Westport. A position she was perfectly suited for and paid dividends years later in the form of KC Royals season tickets which they ended up transferring to her son Larry and his business Softpro Consulting Group. Cathy even worked as administrative assistance for Softpro but having to switch from a typewriter to keyboard proved to be a showstopper as she preferred a “Brother” typewriter over the “IBM” Personal Computer.

Life continued in Lee’s Summit at 801 NE Balboa Ave in the home that her and Dale built. Cathy really made the home a treasure with her Rooster collection (she was nicknamed as such by good friend Rick Craig and wife Brenda) until the ultimate Coca-Cola collection took over (many thanks to Dan West, we love you brother). She shared this passion with good friend Paula Stork. Her home was also like a sanctuary for so many neighbors and good friends, including her good friend Gloria Woodall. Gloria later moved on to live in Florida leaving behind her daughter Tina for Cathy to raise her as her own.

Cathy was also known as “Mom” to several of Pat’s high school buddies (you know who you are – love you all) and was both cheerleader and scorekeeper for their Sperry Univac softball team. Cathy also starred in the role as “Grandma” for Chris Braxdale the son Pat’s friend Diana Braxdale and later for all of Tina’s children (Chance, Cade, Cash, & Colt) and her husband Dave Lipe of Fort Scott, Kansas. Ultimately, Cathy ended up being Grandma Moran to Rachel Nicole, her only Granddaughter that she loved more than you will ever know.

Cathy ended up facing a couple of medical challenges including Asthma and Multiple Sclerosis. She was diagnosed with MS in the 70’s. However, in 2016, a brain scan with newer technology was performed following some mild strokes she suffered and found that MS had been a bad diagnosis. As a smoker with Asthma, Janet & Larry had promised Cathy a granddaughter if only she would stop smoking. After 3 years of waiting, Cathy began to question if they were really serious and then it finally happened. Her decision to quit smoking paid dividends as Rachel Nicole arrived on February 16, 2001.

Cathy is survived by his 2 Sons: Lawrence Moran (spouse Janet) of Leawood, KS and Patrick Moran (spouse Cheryl) of O’Fallon, MO; 2 grandchildren Rachel Nicole daughter of Janet & Lawrence Moran and Thomas Dale (son of Cheryl and Patrick Moran); and 2 Sisters: Evelyn Clemence of Kansas City, MO and Beverly Michael (husband Dennis) of Grandview MO; along with many extended family members throughout the greater Kansas City area.

At this time, no service or visitation will be held. However, a “Celebration of Life” is planned for a future date and time (TBD), the family requests that all condolences be directed to the online memorial page hosted with Floral Hills Funeral Home.

Additionally, since her late husband (Chalmer Dale) passed away on March 25, 2020, during the Covid-19 epidemic and no services were allowed: we will honor Dale in a combined memorial service with his wife Catherine.

Again, at a future date and time to be announced in the coming new year.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/kansas-city-mo/chalmer-moran-9098530