On April 9th, God peacefully called Mary (Cathy) Catherine Alexander, age 73, home to heaven. She had been holding the hand of her beloved, devoted husband of over 50 years, L J (Butch) Alexander when she died.
Cathy was born June 1947, in Portland, Oregon to Joseph and Julia Baker. She was the oldest of five children, who were raised in Holy Redeemer Catholic parish in Portland, Oregon. She attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School, North Catholic HS. Cathy graduated from the University of Portland with a degree in nursing.
She met Butch in January 1970, when her friend Kathy and his friend Bud, who were dating at the time, invited them each to celebrate Kathy’s birthday. Cathy and Butch would marry in August 1970 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. They would become parents for the first time in July 1971, when their son Chris was born. Their daughter Julie would follow in March 1973. In June 1981, their son Jon would arrive to complete their family.
Cathy was a devoted wife, caring and loving mother, loyal sister, and dear friend. She was the one you would go to for grounded advice, Godly counsel and a generous serving of common sense-she had an abundance of that…at times when nothing made any sense. She always expected the best and would let God do the rest.
Cathy always enjoyed spending time with family and friends, either playing various games like pinochle, Bunco, Mahjong or just sitting around catching up. She was a crossword puzzler and avid reader-who was excited when technology allowed her to easily carry twenty books in the palm of her hand when going on trips. Cathy enjoyed adventure too, camping, fishing, white water rafting down the Rogue and Deschutes rivers, and cruising to Hawaii and Alaska. She enjoyed visiting numerous Oregon wineries where she was able to meet the winemakers and learn their passions for the craft. Often, getting to chat with their spouses and kids too.
She was active in her children’s school, where she met many other neighborhood mothers who along with their families are still cherished friends and family.
Cathy was grounded in her Catholic faith. We take comfort in knowing that she is on Heaven’s Holy ground inhaling deeply God’s best for her.
Cathy is survived by her husband L J (Butch) Alexander, sons Chris and Jon Alexander, daughter Julie Alexander, brother, Bill Baker (Barb), sisters, Ann Francis, and Tori (Phil) Lange. Father-In-Law, Richard Alexander, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Julia Baker and brother Jerry Baker.
A funeral Mass will be held, Friday, April 23rd at 1100, preceded by the Rosary at 1030 at the church she raised her children in, St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Parish in Portland, Oregon. Private interment at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
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