Catherine Kauffman

Catherine Plauche Kauffman, 82, of North Palm Beach, FL, died peacefully in her home of 52 years on October 4, 2021, surrounded by loved ones. Catherine (Cathy) was born on January 14, 1939, in Natchez, MS, to Catherine Olivia Lowrey Plauche and Eugene Field Plauche. Cathy graduated from Hillsboro High School in Nashville, TN, and later attended Shelby State Community College in Memphis, TN, where she proudly maintained a 4.0 grade point average.

Cathy met her sweetheart husband of 60 years, William Earl Kauffman (Bill), at a stoplight in Nashville, TN. Bill and other Air Force members asked her car full of friends where they could get a soda. They all made their way to the Bar-B-Cuite and the rest, as they say, is history. After a short courtship, Cathy followed Bill to Japan where they were married in both Japanese and American ceremonies. They enjoyed a long, joyful life together full of travel, love, laughter and blessed family memories. It is that dedication to family that Cathy’s loved ones remember most.

As a young adult, Cathy was active in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, where she served as Secretary and made some wonderful, lifelong friends. Cathy’s professional experience includes commercial lending, vehicle insurance and mortgage lending. She was the Manager of a mortgage processing office at a major bank and later managed a physician’s office. Cathy’s travels included Germany, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Japan, Mexico, Canada, and most of the United States. In retirement, Cathy was active in the Women’s Club of Stuart, serving as Treasurer and on many committees. Cathy was instrumental in inviting young professional businesswomen with fundraising experience into the club. This resulted in a capable group of women of all ages who provided scholarship opportunities for students, as well as completed the restoration of a beautiful historic building.

Cathy had a “can-do” spirit and liked tackling tough yard work and house projects; she kept a spotless home. She enjoyed sewing and needlework and made a variety of things, including formal dresses for her daughter and granddaughter, many school and sports outfits, Halloween costumes for her grandchildren, curtains, Christmas ornaments and blankets and pillowcases for her great-grandchildren.

Cathy enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren immensely and they did a variety of fun activities together. Some of these activities included: swimming in the pool, reading books, playing games, riding bikes, teaching life skills, bushwhacking, traveling together and overall shenanigans.

Cathy loved and adored her family and friends. Her door was always open and she was quick to fix you a delicious, southern meal. She gave many a place to stay when the need arose and was a foster parent. She loved animals, especially big cats and learning about the natural world. She was a Christian who showed her devotion by acting in the spirit of The Good Samaritan - always helping others. She loved musicals and played the piano.

We cherish Cathy forever and will always miss her warm embrace and her feisty, entertaining spirit. Cathy is pre-deceased by her parents and her husband of 60 years, William Earl Kauffman. She is loved and will be missed by her sister, Doddie (William), her sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Elsie, daughter Lori (Don), grandchildren William (Jamie), Adam (Kristen), Erica (William), and James and great-grandchildren Ben, Owen, Declan, and Brendan, and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 754 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howard-quattlebaum.com for the Kauffman family.