Cathleen Cotton Rothert

Cathleen Cotton Rothert passed away in Chicago on April 25th. Cathy was born on October 20, 1955, in Kansas City, to Beverly Mullin Cotton and John LeGrand Cotton. This was a sudden and surprising loss, and our family is heartbroken. We will miss her presence and loving nature forever. Cathy was oldest of five children, a natural leader with a bright spirit. From an early age, she was a star swimmer at the Red Bridge YMCA. Cathy graduated from Loretto High School in 1973 where she was selected by her classmates and honored with the “Miss Loretto” award.

Cathy attended Avila University and Penn Valley Community College with majors in Biology and Physical Therapy. Cathy moved to Chicago in 1976 where she earned her degree at Northwestern University School of Physical Therapy. She was a gifted physical therapist, helping a legion of people throughout her career.

Cathy adopted Chicago as her hometown with her favorite deli – Max’s, her favorite popcorn - Garrett’s and her favorite pizza – deep dish from Lou Malnati’s. Cathy would send pizzas to Kansas City at Christmas to remind us what great pizza her Kansas City family was missing. While Cathy adopted most things Chicago, she remained a loyal Chiefs fan, communicating with family during tight games and sharing the joy in a hard-fought Chiefs’ win.

Cathy is survived by her husband, Gene Rothert of Chicago, her mother, Beverly (Mullin) Cotton, her brother, Jack Cotton (Susie), brother, Chris Cotton (Tina), brother, Matt Cotton (Pam Marvin), and sister, Becky Cotton (Mark Bunnell). Cathy leaves behind her beloved nephews, Jack, Luke and Reed Cotton, nieces, Sarah Bunnell (Kyle Smith & Hannah Bunnell), Erica Bunnell (Stephanie Burks) along with many cousins.

Cathy was interned in the family cemetery plot on a beautiful morning near her father, John (Jack) LeGrand Cotton, her paternal grandparents, Forrest and Marie Cotton and maternal grandparents, Hugh and Mary Mullin.

We wish to share this sad news with our friends as we celebrate Cathy’s life with cherished memories and mourn her passing.

Catherine the Great

By Jack Cotton, May 14, 2025

My sister Cathy was extraordinary - full of energy, wisdom, and heart. It’s difficult to capture someone's life in a few short paragraphs, but Cathy's life was organised metaphorically like a circus performer spinning multiple plates on a stick. To keep the plates spinning, she had no margin for error, and each plate represented a responsibility, a promise, a goal. Whenever you saw her, they were all spinning in perfect motion. She was always under pressure, never letting one fall. Even the night she passed, they were still in motion, until one quietly slipped away.

From my earliest memories, she was always in motion, always giving. She offered advice, never opinions. She rarely asked for help, never wanted to take, only to give. She wanted to give her all to her family, friends, and community. Cathy was very devoted to her husband, Gene. Together, they were impressive, both making a big impact in their respective fields - Gene in horticulture and Cathy in Physiotherapy. He was by her side on her final night, helping with everything he could, just as she would have done for him.

It is hard to sum up someone's life quickly, but Cathy’s character stood out early to include being a graduate of Loreto Academy. Being a few years ahead of me, she always looked out for me. Even then, people saw the traits we all knew and loved in her - Strength and Generosity.

Cathy’s greatest legacy lives in a piece of advice she gave me as the coach of the Red Bridge Y Swim Team. She was a great coach and motivator, and her advice to the team was always, “You can’t be beat if you swim your own race.” Swimming your own race means doing it your own way. That advice rings true even today.

Last year, during my long hospital stay, Cathy was my lifeline. Even from across the globe, from Chicago to Perth, she checked in with me frequently, gave comfort and stayed present. That was the kind of sister she was. Cathy was dependable, caring, and strong. Always there, even from afar. She found a way to make a difference. I respect her for that, because I knew even while helping me, she still had her own plates spinning.

If she were here today, I know exactly what she’d say: “Don’t worry, swim your race.” And, that’s what I’ll try to do for the rest of my life. She made a lasting difference in my world, and I will think of her often, always carrying her words with me and keeping her spirit close. Cathy was a great big sister, and I will miss her more than words can say. Brother Jack