Cathleen DeYoung

Cathy was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on October 11, 1939 to Helen and Joe Martin. The third of nine children, Cathy grew up in a loving, close-knit family, and spent her childhood in a rambling house on Raspberry Street. In 1956, Cathy and her family moved across the country to Los Angeles, California.

After graduating from high school, Cathy worked as a secretary. She was involved in the young adult group at church, where she met Bob DeYoung. Although their first date—a foreign film where he fell asleep—was rather a disaster, they fell in love and were married at Ascension Catholic Church on September 15, 1962. 

Their daughter, Jennifer, was born the following August, after a difficult delivery. Because of this, Cathy became active in Lamaze/ASPO, promoting natural childbirth. She worked tirelessly, educating parents about Lamaze and the then-radical idea of fathers in the delivery room. Cathy birthed her younger children, Rachel (1965), Timothy (1968), and Elizabeth (1976) using Lamaze, with Bob in attendance. Cathy's advocacy for natural childbirth, with others, helped revolutionize childbirth in Southern California.

Cathy and Bob lived in Long Beach with their young children. Bob had a career as a machinist; Cathy was a homemaker. She was a fabulous cook and baker, taking after her mother, Helen. She was a loving, dedicated wife and mother, raising four wonderful children. Cathy and Bob were active in their church, St. Athanasius, organizing a teen club there. In 1978, the family moved to Los Alamitos, where again, Cathy and Bob were active in their parish, St. Hedwig.

Cathy loved her family more than anything and remained close with her brothers and sisters throughout her life. She was proud of her children and six grandchildren, Demaris, Gavin, Jake, Luke, Hannah, and Paxton, and was the quintessential grandma, always ready with a hug and a cookie. She had a gift with words, using it to create cards for her family. Her rhymes were heartfelt, insightful, and often humorous. She never called her creations “poetry”, but her family knew how special they were.

We’ll remember Cathy's love of Scrabble, Hollywood poker, crossword puzzles, cream puffs, apples, and anything red. We’ll remember her apple pies and award-winning tiramisu roll and chocolate trifle. We’ll cherish her love, generosity, and the aprons she made for us.

We’ll miss Cathy, but she is with her parents in Heaven, and lives on through her family.

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