Catherine M Stallard

She is survived by sons Scott Stallard and Mark Stallard (Ricki) of Tampa and daughter Kimberly Stallard of Tampa; brother Col. James W. Wilson II, USMC Ret. (Connie) of Tampa; and grandchildren Londyn and Hannah Stallard of Tampa, Brennan Fast of Tampa, Brayden Hayes of Tampa, and Jenna Fast of Marietta, Georgia.

Catherine was born at MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL, to James Wildschut Wilson, a Dutch immigrant and naturalized citizen serving in the US Army Air Corps, and to Wilma Claire Wilson (Maas) and named after her maternal grandmother, Catherine Marie Maas, also an immigrant from the Netherlands.

She is preceded in death by her father, James W. Wilson, mother, Wilma C. Scott, and stepfather Wallace A. Scott. She was divorced from husband Paul Stallard.

Catherine attended vocational schools and was a long-time employee as a food service worker at her stepfather’s family business, Florida Citrus Juices. She later worked for 14 years until her retirement as a food service worker and custodian at Busch Gardens and Adventure Island in Tampa, FL. She was known as “Big Kay” to her coworkers, both for her magnanimous and outgoing personality. She brought 3 children into the world, Scott, Kimberly, and Mark, raising them primarily as a single mother with great family support from her mother and stepfather.

She loved nurturing newborns, young puppies and kittens. During her young adult years, she also worked at an Assisted Living Facility caring for Seniors.

Catherine never lost her childlike wonder for Christmas, buying gifts for family members, and would have preferred to keep her Christmas tree up all year to celebrate the joy of Jesus coming into the world. She loved attending church and participating in worship services at Angels Assisted Living, where she resided the last 10 years of her life. She was loved by the staff and other residents and always maintained a sense of humor and positive attitude despite her declining health.

The family wants to extend great appreciation to the staff and management at Angels Assisted Living for providing tender and loving care, the Teal Team of LifePath Hospice, and family friends Betsy and Stephanie, who faithfully visited her each month, massaging her hands, singing hymns and praying with her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Alzheimer's Research Foundation, or to LifePath Hospice in her memory. A private Graveside Service will be held by family, administered by Blount & Curry Life Event Center – MacDill with her brother James W. Wilson officiating.