Catholene "CiCi" Mae Gaudet

Catholene “Cathy” “CiCi” Mae Gaudet, 79, of Geneseo, IL, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.  Cremation rites have been accorded, and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 11:30 A.M at Vandemore Funeral Home – Geneseo Chapel.  Reverend Terry Lancaster will officiate.  A memorial visitation will be held from 10:00-11:30 a.m. before the memorial service at the funeral home.  Memorials may be directed to Operation Christmas Child. 

Cathy was born on August 3, 1946, in Lineville, IA, to Creede and Clara Mae (Snodgrass) Rockhold.  Cathy graduated from ACL Community School in Lineville, IA, in 1964.

Cathy married Stephen Middleton on September 5, 1964.  Steve and Cathy had a daughter, Shelly, and later divorced in 1967.  Cathy then married Greg Mullenberg in February of 1968.  They had a son, Anthony.  Greg and Cathy later divorced in 1979.  Cathy then married Gaston “Sonny” Gaudet in July 1993.  They later divorced in 2005.

Cathy held many jobs over the years, many for non-profits, while living in Florida.  She loved planning and hosting events.  The job she held closest to her heart was being the Director of Molly’s House. She oversaw the project from fundraising, breaking ground for the house, to finishing the house, which hosted family members of cancer patients to stay close to where their loved ones were receiving treatments. Once back in the Midwest, she loved working as the Assistant Director at the Niabi Zoo, for Four Seasons clothing store, and helping her family at Emerick Pest Control before retiring. 

Cathy was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and the Geneseo Women’s Club, where she was involved at the local and district levels.  Cathy was a very accomplished seamstress and loved making costumes for Halloween for herself and her granddaughter.  She loved to travel, taking many cruises over the years.  She also loved good food, especially pie.  Loved playing games with her family and her card buddies at Woodridge Supportive Living.

But her grandkids brought her the most joy.  From making up Judy stories for bedtime and singing country music in the car with Courtney, to playing pirates and going out to eat with Michael. Her great-granddaughters loved for her to read them stories and race them, with her in the rocking chair and them on the rocking motorcycle. They gave her a special sparkle in her eye whenever she got to spend time with them.

Those left to cherish her memory are daughter Shelly (Doug) Emerick of Geneseo, IL, granddaughter Courtney (Connor) Morrison of Abingdon, IL, grandson Michael Emerick, and great-granddaughters Clara Grace and Charlee Jo Morrison of Abingdon, IL.  Siblings’ sister Christine (Don) Roberson of Davenport, IA, sister-in-law Linda Rockhold of Corydon, IA, and brother Bill Rockhold of Stanberry, MO, and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her ex-husband Stephen Middleton, brother Lynn Rockhold, and son Anthony “Tony” Mullenberg.