Catherine Fox (1955-2021)

FOX, DUFF, WINTERS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 10:47:15

CATHERINE "CATHY" LOUISE (DUFF) FOX Center Point

Catherine "Cathy" Louise (Duff) Fox passed away on Aug. 3, 2021, after a brave struggle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on April 1, 1955, in Mason City, Iowa, the oldest daughter of Warren "Bud" and Patsy (Winters) Duff. She grew up in Rock Falls, Iowa, and carried on the small-town values learned there for her entire life. Cathy is a life-time member of the Rock Falls Methodist Church and though she lived in many different places, she always considered it her place of worship. Cathy graduated from Nora Springs/Rock Falls High School in 1973, and then attended Elsworth College in Iowa Falls. After earning her associates degree, she finished her schooling at Northeast Iowa Community College in 1981, with a nursing degree. Cathy had a long and varied nursing career that included hospitals, nursing homes, blood and plasma centers and private duty. Cities she lived and worked in included Dubuque, Waterloo, DeWitt, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Throughout her career, she developed a reputation for a strong work ethic and compassionate person-centered care. While Cathy was comfortable in all work settings, she was at her best caring for disabled children. She retired in July 2020. Cathy met James (Jim) Fox in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1982, and finally agreed to marry him in 1986. They had one daughter, Elizabeth, and they agree that she was their greatest achievement. Cathy's greatest love was time spent with family and friends. She loved being a grandmother and every second spent with her granddaughters was precious. Cathy also enjoyed gardening, crafts, knitting baby blankets and traveling; especially with her daughter or her best friend, Mary. Cathy is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband, Jim; daughter, Elizabeth; granddaughters, River and Amelia; brother, Tom; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her parents, Warren and Patsy; and her sister, Ann. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers or memorials, persons interested, please donate to Cancer research. The family also wants to acknowledge the excellent and compassionate care that she received from Mercy Hospice of Cedar Rapids. Please share a memory of Cathy at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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Published by The Gazette on Aug. 5, 2021.