|
Sharon M. Cathelyn, 63, of Geneseo, passed into God’s loving arms Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Trinity Rock Island. A Funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 am Monday, April 23 at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, Geneseo. Rev. Michael Pakula will celebrate. Burial will be in the St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Atkinson. Visitation for Sharon will be from 3:00 – 5:00 pm Sunday at Vandemore Funeral Home Ltd., Geneseo; and a Scripture Service will be held at 4:45 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be directed to St. Malachy’s Catholic Church or Geneseo Endowment for Excellence in Education.
Sharon was born on February 1, 1949 in Geneseo, the daughter of Kenneth E. & Lucille L. (Lievens) Cathelyn. She was a 1967 graduate of J.D. Darnall High School and graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1971 with a BA degree in Elementary Education. Sharon was a 1st grade teacher for 34 years at East Coloma Grade School in Rock Falls, retiring in 2005. She was a member of St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, First Grade Teachers Group and Retired Teachers Group. Sharon enjoyed crafting, sewing, flower gardening, and her Thursday Night Group. She adored her nieces, nephew, great niece and great nephew.
Survivors include her parents Kenneth & Lucille Cathelyn, Geneseo; brother Vernon (Karen) Cathelyn, Geneseo; nephew & nieces Eric (Stephanie) Cathelyn, Indianapolis, IN; Laura Cathelyn, Des Moines, IA; Lisa Cathelyn, student at Marquette University; great niece & nephew Lilly & Hunter and aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, two uncles and two aunts.
| |
|
|
Click the button to generate a printable document containing all condolences submitted
|
Condolence Booklet
|
|
Connie Carter Laleman
|
Posted Wed April 18, 2012
|
|
I am sorry for your loss, you have my deepest sympathy. In recent years I have enjoyed getting together with Sharon and several other classmates for lunch. She will be missed.
|
|
Mary Miller
|
Posted Wed April 18, 2012
|
|
I am so sorry for your loss I think it must be the hardest thing to suffer the lost of a child. May you find comfort that she is resting in the peace of our Lord.
|
|
Evelyn Bay
|
Posted Thu April 19, 2012
|
|
I taught for many yrs. with Sharon at East Coloma.She was a nice and caring person.We shared laughs and stories.I hadn't seen her for awhile and was so sad to hear of her passing.
She was a great teacher,devoted to her students and classroom.
She always had a happy face.She will be missed.
|
|
Sharilyn Holke Iliff
|
Posted Thu April 19, 2012
|
|
Please accept my sympathy in your loss. I was a classmate of Sharon''s and always considered her my friend. She seemed to always have a smile on her face and good thoughts in her heart for all she met. She had a loving soul. May you find comfort in your memories of her and peace in the knowledge that she is now in God''s arms.
|
|
Lynn Wetzel
|
Posted Thu April 19, 2012
|
|
I became friends with Sharon through Norma Hoffman while I attended NIU. We became instant friends. I never saw her again after we graduated but kept in contact with her through Christmas cards and letters.
Sharon was always happy at whatever she was doing. Her outlook was continually positive. She loved her nieces and nephews as she wrote about them all the time. I will truly miss her.
Sincerely in Him,
Lynn Wetzel
|
|
Cindy Mathiesen
|
Posted Thu April 19, 2012
|
|
I am sorry for your loss. I met her at our monthly teacher meetings. Sharon always had a smile that would light up the world! She was a very special person and loved being around family and friends. She was always doing something for others. She will be missed!
|
|
Norma Hazen Hoffman
|
Posted Thu April 19, 2012
|
|
Sadly missed will be a great friend, Sharon Cathelyn. Not forgotten will be the memory of helping hunt for her first apartment in Rock Falls when she began teaching at East Coloma School. Never forgotten will be all the times conversing and doing fun activities with Sharon. Sharon had a way of being able to listen to the same silly problem for 2 hours, make you feel like it was important, and solve the problem. This was one of many traits that made Sharon Cathelyn an outstanding human being, teacher, advisor, and friend. Goodbye, Sharon- an irreplacable good listener and helper to all. You are gone but not forgotten.
|
|
Arlene C. Hildebrand
|
Posted Thu April 19, 2012
|
|
It was an honored to have known and worked with Sharon during her 34 years at East Coloma School! I enjoyed going into her classroom to see the latest educational activities that Sharon had dreamed up. She put in untold hours and effort to make learning fun for her little one, because she cared. Everything was directed to having the boys and girls love learning. Students thrived with Sharon''''''''s guidance and love. Indeed, Sharon brought much happiness to East Coloma children and their parents. She lives on in so many memories. Yes, she is gone from us, but just consider the Bible verse, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them."
|
|
Julie Sutton and Piper Sutton Turner
|
Posted Fri April 20, 2012
|
|
Our deepest sympathy to Sharon''s family and friends. She was my daughter Piper''s first teacher. Her kind and gentle ways were a perfect start to my daughter''s educational journey. I shall always remember her sparkling eyes and her laugh as they made me smile everytime I saw her. Piper and I were very blessed to have her in our lives. Until we meet again....
|
|
Joan Moran
|
Posted Fri April 20, 2012
|
|
It was an honor to have known and worked with Sharon for 31 years at East Coloma School. Sharon was an incredible teacher. She touched many children's lives during her 34 years. They will never forget their first grade teacher.
Sharon was my very first friend when I was hired at East Coloma. I will truly miss her. She always had a smile and a kind word for everyone.
My thought and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
"May you find strength in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends."
|
|
Janet & Daryl DeGerengel
|
Posted Fri April 20, 2012
|
|
Our sincere sympathy to Sharon's family and friends. She was such a sweetheart; always bubbly and laughing. She will be greatly missed by all.
|
|
Kris Slusser Mason
|
Posted Fri April 20, 2012
|
|
Ms Cathelyn was my first grade teacher and she was a great teacher and person.I was so blessed to have her she will be sadly missed.May you look down upon us and continue teaching us from Heaven.
|
|
Brock Hardy
|
Posted Sat April 21, 2012
|
|
I am sorry to hear about the loss of Ms. Cathelyn. My two brothers and I were students of hers at East Coloma School. My grandmother, Betty Hardy-Lucy, also taught along-side Ms. Cathelyn for many years at East Coloma. Over the years they kept in touch through letter writing, and my grandmother was always excited to hear from her good friend. As my first grade teacher, Ms. Cathelyn showed a genuine dedication and compassion for all her students. Through her caring approach to teaching, she provided me with valuable lessons that I continue to think about to this day.
|
|
Judy (Standard) McCloud
|
Posted Sun April 22, 2012
|
|
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Ms. Cathelyn. I never had her as my teacher but my little brother did. We had the pleasure of living by her on Circle Dr. in Rock Falls. She was always so friendly and thoughtful. She was an excellant teacher and cared greatly about her students. She will surely be missed by friends and family.
|
|
Albert and MaryJane Boelens
|
Posted Sun April 22, 2012
|
|
We are so sorry to hear of your loss we know her as being so kind so very nice and we will pray for her Mother and Father and brother and family May god be with you all at this time!
|
|
Margo Moran-Empen
|
Posted Sun April 22, 2012
|
|
My deepest sympathies to the family of Sharon Cathelyn. Sharon was my first grade teacher, and I became her teaching assistant when I was in college. Sharon was an incredible human being who impacted every person she came into contact with. Her work ethic and love of teaching and students stayed with me throughout college and into my teaching career. We are all blessed for having known her and having been taught by her. She will be missed, but her legacy will live on in us who were lucky enough to have known her. May you find strength during your difficult time. God bless.
|
|
Nancy Newell
|
Posted Sun April 22, 2012
|
|
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I am a former clasmate of Sharon's and most recently shared some lunches with her-at the the monthly lunch group. Thoughts and prayers to Sharon's friends and family.
|
|
Carl Sartwell
|
Posted Sun April 22, 2012
|
|
As Superintendent of East Coloma School for 11 years, I was privileged to have worked with Sharon. Sharon taught me a great deal about teaching excellence. I admired her skills and abilities. But, mostly I admired her dedication and passion for teaching Her students were her life and they blossomed in her classroom. She was a wonderful person whom it was blessing to have known and worked with.
|
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
|
