Cathy (Coleman) Whitaker

CHINA – Today we lost our dear Cathy Whitaker, 67, in a car accident. If you ever asked Cathy how she was doing, the answer was always the same—delivered with a beaming grin: “Ah, excellent!”

Born on Halloween Day, 1957, Cathy delighted in her “good witch” spirit (favorite movie: “The Wizard of Oz”) and carried a little magic wherever she went. The oldest of seven, our “big sister” would always laugh about being the shortest of the bunch. Cathy was never afraid to be her own special self—when the world swooned for the Beatles, she loved the Monkees, when you suggested she read something other than scary novels she’d scoff at you – she considered Stephen King the only author worthy of her time.

Some people are gym rats; Cathy was a pool rat. From childhood swim meets to recent mornings at the Augusta YMCA, she tried to get in the water every day. Her friends at the Y were a second family. In earlier years, Winters found her on the slopes. She was a longtime skier and member of the Lost Valley Ski School who taught many of her nieces and nephews to race down the hill with abandon.

Cathy’s hands were always busy making something beautiful. A master of hand-hooked rugs, she created heirlooms and generously made sure everyone in the family had one of her treasures. Many of us were married with one under our feet. Each year at the Common Ground Fair she’d give demonstrations for the crowds. When asked what she did, with a twinkle, she’d say: “I’m a hooker!”

Every late spring Cathy would call everyone in our family to remind us that strawberry picking season was close at hand. She’d get us all out in the fields picking her favorite fruit. She could often remind us all that the little things like homemade jam shared with family were what life is about.

Cathy was a person who worked to live, but she also had a long career dedicated to serving others. She spent 25 years in the kitchen at Augusta General Hospital, then became a CNA, providing home care to clients with special needs. She never looked down on anyone and was always willing to help those in need.

She met her husband, Harold Whitaker, later in life; they made up for lost time with lots of laughter, joyful fireworks displays in their backyard, and watching old TV favorites like “The Waltons” and “Little House on the Prairie”. A wonderful aunt to many, and an amazing cat mom to her beloved Sammy. Cathy will be missed in so many ways, but we won’t lie, family gatherings won’t be the same without her legendary chocolate chip cookies.

Cathy was predeceased by her husband, Harold. She is survived by her parents, Jacquelyn and Richard Coleman; her siblings Mary (Tim) Bernard, John (Linda) Coleman, Tom Coleman, Joe (Janet) Coleman, Jacquelyn Sandone, and David (Natalie) Coleman; her many beloved nieces and nephews, Kate (Justin) Melcher; David and Anna Bernard; Erin, Hanson and Samuel (Cam) Coleman; Chase Coleman; Joseph Coleman; Jack and Mary Sandone; Ella, and Harry Coleman; and one grandnephew, Rory Coleman.

A private family service is planned.

In lieu of flowers,

please consider a gift in Cathy’s memory to:

the Augusta YMCA

As Cathy would say,

that would be,

“Ah, excellent”