Christine Ann Cathcart's Obituary
Christine Ann Cathcart was born in Mercy Hospital in Rockville Center, NY on July 10, 1946. Her parents were Chester and Catherine Cathcart, and she grew up as the oldest of 6 children in their Freeport, Long Island home. Her siblings were Susan (now deceased), Mary, Barbara, Seth and Richard. In 1958, their family moved to Spotswood, NJ.
In 1964, Christine married John Hnedak (of Jamesburg, NJ). Unfortunately, this marriage did not last, but Christine would have told you that one very good thing resulted from it: the birth of her daughter, Mary Anne, on February 15, 1965. She later told Mary Anne that she always wanted one child, and wanted it to be a daughter. Not many of us get what we want, in that regard!
In 1970, Christine joined the US Air Force. This was a time when very few women enlisted. She was a brave and independent woman! She worked for 4 years as a Wing Historian and Procurement Specialist. In 1977, she returned to service, this time in the Air National Guard Reserves, where she would serve for an additional 18 years. Throughout this time, Christine earned many awards, certificates and citations for outstanding achievement. She retired with a title of Staff Sergeant. Anyone who knew her, knew that she was very proud of her military service for her Country.
She was also very proud of her family, especially grandsons, Tyler and Nicholas, whom she spoiled on a regular basis. She was fortunate to see Tyler graduate from college this past December, and land his first job the same week! But she won’t be here next May, when Nicholas graduates from High School, and this will make us all sad.
Shortly after leaving the Air Force, Christine entered college, and went on to graduate from Stockton State College in 1981, with Bachelor of Science. She also took some graduate school classes at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. Afterward, Christine dabbled in various jobs, finally establishing her career at the IRS as a tax auditor. She once told us a story of how the IRS made their workers audit 60 returns per hour, or 1 per minute! And we think our bosses make us work too hard!
For 25 years, Christine lived with her companion, Paul Wirth, in Bohemia New York. She cared for him very much, and was lost when he passed away in 2007. Her sisters convinced her to do what all retirees should do: sell her condo & move to Florida! A few years later, due to health issues, Christine moved in with her daughter, son-in-law and grandson. They spent the last 7 years together, making new (and crazy) memories. Those memories and moments will be part of our lives forever. They grew extremely close during this time, and Mary Anne and her family consider themselves blessed to have had that opportunity.
Christine will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Veterans Association of America (VAA) at PO BOX 309 Audubon Station, New York, NY 10032 or online at https://www.vetsaa.org
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