Catherine Louise Taylor
August 21, 1946 – December 16, 2015.
Catherine, a wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, loved ones, and laughter in Centennial, Colorado.
Beloved daughter of Ralph and Louise Taylor, Catherine was born in Atchison, Kansas. As a young child, she moved with her family to Colorado Springs. Catherine attended Cheyenne Mountain High School. After graduation, she studied at the University of Colorado in Boulder, receiving a music scholarship for her skill in organ and piano.
Catherine traveled with her family from a young age and this sparked her passion to explore and experience the world. Cathy with a “C”, as she was sometimes referred to, started her flying career as a flight attendant with United Airlines in 1966. Cathy truly made it the friendly skies for over 46 years, traveling around the world sharing her magnetic personality, contagious smile and her big blue eyes. She passed her love of flying on to her children and countless students as a teacher with Cherry Creek School District for over ten years. Her passion for the airline industry was recognized by United Airlines and she was selected to be a part of numerous international training videos.
After retiring from United Airlines, Cathy pursued her other passions and became a master gardener through Colorado State University, a docent at Cherokee Ranch, and was an active member of Our Father Lutheran Church.
Catherine’s true passion was her family. She was always involved in her son’s activities from Cub Scout Den mother, teaching Sunday school, being the only mother on Boy Scout camping trips, endless hours “chauffeuring” to Colorado Children’s Chorale rehearsals and fencing practice. Her devotion to her children was endless and even as a working single mother she never missed a performance or tournament. Catherine’s love of travel was shared with her sons with trips to Taiwan, Greece, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and throughout the United States (especially Hawaii and Colorado). She thrived in her role as grandmother, “Mi-Mi” to her three grandchildren and she treasured the time spent with them.
Few could match Cathy’s spirit and generosity at Christmas time, her favorite time of the year. She will never be far from our hearts in the season that she loved best.
She is survived by her mother, Louise Taylor; her loving children: Christopher and Michael Shank; and grandchildren: Parker, Luke and Isabelle. Her family would like to thank all of her friends for the love and support throughout the years.
A celebration of Catherine’s life will be held on Saturday, January 16th at 10 AM, at Our Father Lutheran Church, 6335 S. Holly Street, Centennial, CO 80122. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the following charities.
Colorado Children’s Chorale.
www.childrenschorale.org
CAUSE- foundation for United Flight Attendants.
www.thecausefoundation.org
Bears and Blankets.
http://www.bearsandblankets.org/#!donate/c1d1z
Cherokee ranch.
Children’s Hospital Colorado Burn Center
http://www.childrenscolorado.org/donate-volunteer/donate