Catherine Mortick

(November 8, 1945 – September 5, 2022)

On Monday, September 5, 2022, Catherine (Cathy) R. Mortick of Silver Spring, MD, passed away from complications associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Cathy had a wide circle of family and friends whom she nurtured throughout her life.

Cathy was born on November 8, 1945, in Sheffield, Alabama. As a young girl, her family relocated to the small town of Clark, South Dakota. In addition to her parents, Cathy was loved and guided to adulthood by her grandparents, aunts, and uncles, who also lived in Clark. Despite her father being quite strict, she enjoyed childhood fun and even some mischief with her sister, cousin, and a few friends. Cathy was an excellent student and graduated as valedictorian from Clark County High School. After graduation she left the watchful eyes in Clark to attend the University of Minnesota, where she received her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts.

On New Year’s Eve of Cathy’s senior year of college, she agreed to go on a blind date with Jack Mortick, who had just accepted a job with the National Security Agency in Maryland. While they only shook hands at the ball drop that year, Cathy was smitten with Jack. Their romance quickly blossomed through letters and visits. After Cathy graduated and secured a job in the D.C. area as well, Jack was there at the airport to greet her. The two were married on April 27, 1968.

Jack and Cathy had three daughters: Annette, Jennifer, and Rachel. Cathy’s life work was to create and maintain a loving, stable, and beautiful home for her family. The girls often came home from school to the scent of freshly baked cookies, and a delicious dinner was served at 6:00 every night. Cathy also volunteered at school and advocated for her daughters to receive the best education possible. Cathy put the “special” in special occasions for family and friends; she and Jack hosted many parties at their home to celebrate holidays, graduations, weddings, and anniversaries.

Cathy was an avid reader and has read hundreds of books throughout her life. Over 20 years ago, she started a book club for her friends and neighbors that created and nurtured lasting friendships among the members. Cathy also loved to decorate her home, carefully putting together furniture and accessories that were beautiful, comfortable and welcoming.

Cathy and Jack moved into Riderwood Senior Living Community in early 2018. While at Riderwood, Cathy made new friends and continued to stay in touch with her friends that she had made throughout the years. In April 2022, Jack passed away after being ill for five months with a brain tumor. Without her loving partner by her side, Cathy was not able to continue to fight against her Parkinson’s Disease symptoms any longer.

Cathy was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Jack. She is survived by daughter Annette Lucas (Jay), of Raleigh, NC; daughter Jennifer Gunnulfsen (Jeff), of Silver Spring; and daughter Rachel Doyle (Will), of College Park. She is also survived by her adored grandchildren Valerie and John Lucas, Evan and Megan Gunnulfsen, and Sarah and Joey Doyle. In addition, Cathy is survived by sister Christine (Jim) Weisbrod of Hot Springs Village, AR and cousin Jim (Ann) Fleischhacker of Naples, FL. She is preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Beckman Geise and Vincent Earl Geise, and her aunts Val Fleishhacker and Arvy Carr.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 10:30 am the Church of the Resurrection, 3315 Greencastle Road, Burtonsville, MD 20866. A "Celebration of Life" luncheon for both Cathy and Jack will be held immediately following Cathy’s funeral at the Greek Village, 13476 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

Donations in Cathy’s memory may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate