Obituary of Catherine M. Ketcham

‭Catherine Mary Terwiel‬‭ Sievers Ketcham‬
‭Sunrise 11/12/32 Sunset 6/24/24
 

One of the brightest, kindest lights dimmed in the passing of Cathy Ketcham.‬ Mom was a seeker of the true, beautiful and divine. She never lost the “awe & wonder” gene.‬ She loved nature, all plants, animals and meticulously caring for her park like property and its‬ critters.‬
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Except the enormous raccoon who made a home in scaffolding above her bed in the eaves …‬“I’m telling you girls!!! There is something LIVING in the roof!!” Uh-huh, ok Mom. She had‬ gone with her walker to get wine!! “Well, if I’m not driving anymore I can certainly have a glass‬ of wine …”
 

Mom was a total riot as far back as can remember.‬ In taking ALL her girls to church from a very young age, Cathy focused on the acts of service,‬ however small, and taught her daughters the meaning of the Ten Commandments, and how‬ to live them. Most importantly to BE KIND. Mom also taught us,“if you see someone without a‬ smile give them yours.” Mom loved to laugh and all were treated as her friend.‬
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Catherine loved motherhood. She took great pride in being a homemaker, sewing all the‬ clothing for her five daughters through childhood and a prom dress for Betsy with a matching‬ purse.‬‭ She tried her hand at quilting, rug braiding,‬‭ furniture refinishing, and bread baking. She‬ passed along her love of reading, the beach, and traveling to each of her daughters. She‬ enjoyed attending the ballet and opera in NYC, as well as listening to Irish music, community‬ band concerts, jazz and especially trombone. As her life progressed, Cathy volunteered for‬ years as a candy striper at Huntington Hospital. After completing a medical coding/billing‬ class she employed there. Some time later she’d said, “I CAN do this, I’d rather work with‬ people” Then came A&S Dept. Store. Cathy owned her first dog Laddie and got re-married for‬ her golden years to her Bob. We survived Mom as a landlady with a tenant …‬
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Catherine was always positive, grateful, and smiling! Even when leaving her home of 60‬ years in 2020 relocating to Amber Court Assisted Living, which quickly became her new home‬ for the last 4 years. The picture of grace, going with the flow, being a social butterfly, Mom‬ made a whole bunch of friends quickly. Cathy and her daughter, Jane, grew extraordinarily‬ close and became each other's biggest blessing. They enjoyed beautiful outings to‬ restaurants, concerts, and nurseries. They shared meaningful conversations over hot tea and‬ priceless quality time. Over the years, Cathy’s biggest admirer was her grandson Christopher.‬ He was highly regarded as her sunshine, always there for her cheering on beloved Grandma‬ as her health declined; he was recognized and loved by her until the end. Chris fascinated‬ Grandma with surprise visits and FaceTime calls, from ALL OVER THE PLACE; she loved it‬ and tech skills fascinated her. “WOW!!!” Mom loved learning even when the thoughts would‬ be gone in a blink of an eye.‬
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Catherine, 91, passed peacefully at Carillon Nursing Facility in Huntington, NY, after putting‬ up a courageous battle against dementia, an assortment of challenges‬ and lived the last 30 years with chronic lymphocystic leukemia.‬
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She is survived by her remaining daughters: Maureen, Betsy, Jane, and Catharine; her two‬ sisters, Eileen and Marie; her seven grandchildren; and her one great-granddaughter! She is‬ currently reuniting in heaven with her daughter Patricia, her younger brother Jack, her first‬ husband Wilfried Sievers, her true love, Robert Ketcham, and her partner in her extended‬ golden years, Lou Lanaro. Cathy loved living, was always thankful and the picture of grace‬ she went with the flow. She was loved and appreciated by all who cared for “Kitty Cat”‬
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The family would like to thank Jane. Your love and endless care kept our Mom with us for‬ many more years than we would’ve had her. Carillion Nurse Erin an Earth Angel, and‬ Palliative Care Team. Amber Court Assisted Living of Westbury, Dr Noya, Sandra, and our‬ dear JoyMaker, Ginger Bonner. Thank you Ginger for bringing all of the music, laughter, fun &‬ JOY to our Mom’s Sunset days. We are Grateful, THANK YOU!!! Mom would say, “Don’t ever‬ change!!” May Mom rest in eternal laughter, joy and love. AufWiedersehn!‬