IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.
Cathy Whitaker
Mass of Christian Burial for Catherine Louise (Bishop) Whitaker, 65, who died Friday, May 30, at her home in Marion, will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 5, at Holy Family Parish in Marion.
Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home. A vigil and Rosary will be 7 p.m. June 4 at Holy Family Parish. Burial will be at Marion Cemetery. After burial, a luncheon and celebration of life are planned at Holy Family Activities Center.
Cathy was born Aug. 19, 1959, the seventh of 11 children in the close Catholic family of Wilber Daryl and Anna Marie (Deters) Bishop.
She was raised in Axtell, attended St. Michael’s Grade School, and was salutatorian of her class at Axtell High School.
She attended Emporia State University and Newman School of Nursing, graduating as a registered nurse in 1982.
She worked as a nurse in Emporia, Arkansas City, Marion, and Sand Springs, Oklahoma. She also was a school nurse, religious education director for Holy Family Parish, and a teacher’s aide.
She met Neal Whitaker in 1982 when Cathy, as a student nurse, was taking care of Neal’s mother, Lila. They were married Oct. 15, 1983.
Cathy’s passions were her family, church, nursing, singing, and theatre.
She served as a 4-H cooking, sewing, and community leader and a Girl Scout leader, sponsored a high school dance team, and was her daughters’ Sunday School teacher when they had their First Communion.
Her beautiful voice earned several I ratings at state music competitions in high school. She was a church song leader and choir soloist and frequently was asked to sing at weddings, funerals, and community events.
Cathy founded and directed Marion Children’s Summer Theater for 10 years.
Her passion for acting was passed to daughters Katelyn Whitaker, who has directed a dozen plays at Miltonvale and Burlingame High Schools, and Megan Jones, who resurrected the Marion Children’s Summer Theater and is directing Marion High School plays.
Cathy’s passion for health care was continued by her youngest daughter, Alicen “Annie” Whitaker-Hilbig, who has a PhD in physical therapy and is a researcher in that field.
Cathy was diagnosed with dementia in fall of 2014. Unable to speak, she courageously accepted the ravages of her condition and maintained a cheerful demeanor. Her last sentence, to granddaughter Madolyn more than three years ago, was “I love you, little girl.”
Cathy was preceded in death by her parents; sister Carol Jean Bishop; brothers Jon Charles and Kenton Bishop; sister-in-law Amanda Bishop; and nephew Mathias Krier.
She is survived by husband Neal Whitaker of Marion; daughters Megan Jones (and husband Daryl) of Marion, Katelyn Whitaker (and husband Brian Good) of Topeka, and Alicen Whitaker-Hilbig (and husband Brenton) of Milwaukee; and granddaughters Cecilia Doris and Madolyn Louise Jones of Marion.
Surviving siblings include Carla Bishop and Seth Bishop of Axtell; Corrine Magotra (and Neeraj) of Longmeadow, Massachusetts; Christine Krier (and Terry) of McPherson; Bill Bishop (and Laurie) of Saraland, Alabama; Cynthia Eckles (and Jerry) of Lake City; and David Bishop (and Gigi) of Henderson, Nevada.
Donations may be made to Marion Summer Children’s Theater in care of Yazel-Megli Funeral Home.