Catalina Mejia

Catalina Mejia passed away at home in hospice, in the presence of immediate family, on Tuesday morning, June 6, 2023 - 10 days before her 66th birthday. Cat was born in the small agrarian town of Caicedonia, in the department of Valle del Cauca, in the South American country of Colombia. Her parents were the late Dorance Mejia Peñalosa and the late Rosa Yolima Cardona Arcila. She was five years old when the Mejias moved to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Catalina grew up in a strict catholic, bilingual home and learned to appreciate all foods. She loved coffee, chocolate, cow’s milk, gumbo and etouffee! A trailblazer, she left home at age 18, bound for Los Angeles, CA. She worked alongside several mentors who educated her in business, finance and computer skills, eventually working in several positions wherein she overhauled computer systems and set companies on a lucrative path. Cat met her best friend, Sandy Devich in L.A. where they nurtured a strong bond and sweet memories. She moved to Longmont over 30 years ago. Most recently, Catalina worked as controller for Jorgensen Laboratories in Loveland, and helped to transition their billing from paper to digital format. She had a real knack for accounting and computers, understanding math concepts that would confuse most of us!

Brain cancer weakened her in 2002, but she made a full recovery. She met her true love, Thomas C. Flanagan, in 2006. They dated, and shared life and travel for nine years. A favorite pastime of hers was to sit by the river where Tom was fishing and read a book. Catalina enjoyed her work at JorVet. She also loved reading, cooking, entertaining friends and family, photography and shopping. She volunteered her time with Habitat for Humanity, and helped her mom make sandwiches for homeless people through HOPE for Longmont. But her greatest efforts went to attending to her mother, her dogs and her friends. She was generous, steadfast and a force to be reckoned with. Catalina was passionate about gardening and sharing her knowledge and skills with others. She had a love for music including classical, rock, country and enjoyed Colombian music and dance, and other music genres.

Tom and Cat were happy! They designed and built a home together in Loveland in 2014. Unfortunately, the tumor recurred in 2015. It was removed but she suffered a bleed and clot which left her with several deficits. Chemo and radiation therapy worsened her health to the point that she was unable to resume her employment, and lost her mobility and visual acuity. For eight years, Tom remained by her side as her caregiver, helping her with daily needs.

She leaves behind her husband, Tom Flanagan, and her siblings: Robert Mejia (Janine), Susana Mejia (Keith Bagley), Theresa Mejia (Steve Counas) and Hector Mejia. Other survivors include Tom’s daughters: Kelsey Flanagan (Valentin Pannérec) and Amy Mitchell (Kevin), their grandchildren - Cameron and Ellie Mitchell, Cat’s aunts: Esneda Cardona, Danelia Giraldo and Nancy Cardona (who was present at her birth and attended to Cat on her deathbed in Loveland) and two paternal aunts in Colombia. Catalina left behind many friends, cousins and countless pets she loved. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

It is her wish that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement (HOPE for Longmont), or a local chapter of the humane society.

A Celebration of Life for Catalina Mejia will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 10am, at the Hunter Chapel of Allnutt Funeral Service. The address is 2100 N.Lincoln Avenue, Loveland,CO 80538. Chaplain Donna Greene will preside. A light luncheon will follow the service.