Obituary of Catheryn Fasnacht , 54

Catheryn Bortz Fasnacht, 54, of Dallas, TX, and formerly of State College, PA entered into eternal rest on Friday, July 18, 2014 at St. Paul University Hospital, Dallas, TX after a 3 ½ year battle with breast cancer.

Born November 29, 1959, in Westchester, PA, she was the daughter of Frank Eugene Bortz and Edna Josephine Kimmel Bortz. She married Charles D. Fasnacht, III, on March 4, 1982, who survives at home. Catheryn and Charles lived in Clifton Park, NY from 1984 through 1995; Goshen, NY from 1995 through 2009 and moved to Dallas, TX in June of 2009.

She is also survived by two daughters, Jessica Fasnacht, of Brooklyn, NY, and Krista and her husband, Matthew Lear, of Beverly, MA; and a beloved service dog, Becca; three siblings, Brian and his wife, Jennifer Bortz, of State College, Sherry and her husband, Paul Gongloff, of Tipton, PA, and Christine and her husband, Bob Tate, of Bellefonte, PA; and her parents, Frank Eugene and Edna Josephine Kimmel Bortz of State College. Extended family includes Grace Fasnacht, mother in law and Tammy Fasnacht, sister-in-law both in Lebanon, PA. Nieces and nephews include: Shelley, Jackie, Josh, Bryan, Amber, Derek, Mollie, Emalee and Dakota.

Catheryn was a graduate of State College Area High School in 1977, and Penn State University in 1981 with a Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management. She worked in the Hospitality industry for several years, and then worked as a stay at home Mom until her daughters entered Middle School. She was a Real Estate Broker in New York State for twenty years and fulfilled her lifelong goal of being a fulltime volunteer for the last five years in the Dallas area.

She was a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX, and former member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Clifton Park, NY; Grace Community Church in Washingtonville, NY and Grace Lutheran Church in State College.

Cathy’s contagious laugh and her gracious and outgoing personality drew people to her wherever she was and she always made people feel welcome. She enjoyed volunteering for Meals on Wheels in Goshen, NY and Dallas, TX; HIS Bridge Builders as a mentor in Dallas, TX; Prestonwood Crisis Pregnancy Center as a counselor in Dallas, TX; Penn State University North Texas Chapter – College Fair coordinator and DFW Lab Rescue in Dallas, TX. She also served nearly ten years as a Deacon in Grace Community Church in Washingtonville, NY where she administered the Deacons Fund for needy families, and also was coordinator and provided leadership for Women’s conferences as well as Mother-Daughter Teas; Vacation Bible School; and special events. In her final years, she also voluntarily counseled other women who were diagnosed with breast cancer, and provided comfort and encouragement up through her last days. Even in the hospital, doctors, nurses and visitors were touched by her love and strength.

Visitation will be from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, July 25th at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College, and there will also be viewing at the Church on Saturday morning from 10am-11am followed by the Funeral service at 11am on Saturday, July 26th at Grace Lutheran Church in State College with the Reverend Steve Lynn officiating.

Burial will be in the Boalsburg cemetery.

There will be a special “Celebration of Life” for Cathy at 2pm on July 31st, at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX which will be made available to observe remotely through online services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Cathy’s favorite charities: www.HISBridgebuilders.org or www.PrestonwoodPregnancy.org or www.komen.org.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.