Birth date: Apr 8, 1949 Death date: Feb 24, 2018
Cathleen Padden passed away on Saturday February 24, 2018 after 6 years of valiant struggle with Wegener’s Disease & the cascade of illnesses it caused. She was 68 years young. She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas & her Read Obituary
Aunt Cathleen was a wonderful person, always a cheerful, fun-loving lady who was full of life. Her smile could light up a room and it was infectious. She made everyone around her happy. Whether it was a funny joke, her positive attitude, or her big smile, she was a delight to be around.
My kids adored her as did I. Even though they existed only for a shorter part of her life, she was there for all of theirs. She was a part of their earliest and fondest memories and always will be.
Aunt Cathleen was the strongest person I know. Though she suffered a long time she never complained & it's her strength that I remember most & I hope to be at least half the woman she was.
Now’s a time to remember back on the memories. The Friday night music in the park. The Dunedin holiday parades and craft fairs. Thursday ladies night with Tracy, Tina, Aunt Margaret and Aunt Cathleen. Easter dinners and birthday parties she never missed one. So many wonderful memories with Aunt Cathleen at the heart of it all. She was an incredible sister, mother, and aunt. She will be missed by a lot of people.
I wish you peace and will always love you.
Love,
Charlie, Rory, Isobel, Caitlin & Alastair
My sister Cathleen was loving, kind, beautiful, courageous, funny, happy, giving...I could go on forever. She is a lesson to all of us on how to keep going through adversity. She kept me laughing through all of her medical trials and tribulations. Her girls and I would often get caught laughing with her when doctors would come into the examination room and they would look at us like we came from another planet. I am sure that they didn't see that very often.
I walked into her hospital room recently and she looked at me and said "you make me smile." I will never forget the look on her face and the complete and utter love she conveyed to me with those few words. What a compliment and gift from the woman whose smile could light up a room!
She was a wonderful gift to all who were lucky enough to cross her path. Her smile is now shining brightly in heaven and in the hearts of all who love her.
My sister, my best friend-I love you so.
Maggio
I am so proud Aunt Cathleen was my Godmother and loved her so much.
I've been thinking all week about how much I learned from Aunt Cathleen's life. She was so special to my sisters and me for our whole lives. When we were little, I remember visiting nearly every summer and Aunt Cathleen always made our visits an adventure! As a young adult, I admired her so much for going back to school and working hard for her career ambition--I thought she was a total badass for pulling herself up by the bootstraps. As a divorced woman turning 40 this year, now I reflect on how she faced personal adversity with so much grace. I learned by watching how she lived her life that sometimes God sends us trials way outside our control to show us how powerless we are, and that Heaven is the reward for perseverance through adversity despite the pain of suffering.
One thing I know FOR SURE is Aunt Cathleen is a saint in Heaven, and is enjoying a Manhattan with Grandma and Grandpap in their eternal happy hour :).
Love,
Kelly
