Cathy Bishop

Mary Catherine Bishop, 74, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at Southeast Hospital after a brief illness and a brave, nine-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

Cathy, as most people knew her, was born Jan. 10, 1948, in Jefferson City to Wiley Hinkle and Catherine Eva "Puddy" Schmuke Statler. She and William Glenn "Bill" Bishop were married March 17, 1979, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau.

Cathy was the precious mother to Beth (Ryan) McClure of St. Louis and T.J. (Kaci) Bishop of Cape Girardeau, and dear Gran to Harrison and Eva Jean McClure and Eleanor and Emery Bishop. She was the cherished sister to Nancy Stone and Martha (Don) Thompson, all of St. Louis, and sister-in-law to Bob (Donna) Bishop of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Cinda (Greg) Parker of Orlando, Florida. She was the beloved aunt to many nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces and a friend to many.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Jean Ann Statler.

After moving to Cape Girardeau, Cathy attended St. Mary Cathedral School and Notre Dame High School. Then, she attended Southeast Missouri State University, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and earned a bachelor of arts in elementary education.

Cathy taught kindergarten and second grade for more than 40 years. She began her career at Morehouse Elementary in Sikeston, Missouri. In Cape Girardeau, she taught briefly at Clippard and Franklin Elementary schools, but spent the majority of her time at Alma Schrader Elementary, where she taught hundreds of students.

One of them summed up her career best when he wrote, "I would like you to know...you are the best, kindest, most caring and truly inspiring teacher I have ever had. Values you instilled in me in second grade were a part of me acquiring a degree in education. You are amazing."

Personally, Cathy excelled at creating a cozy home, always thoughtfully decorated for every holiday and season, for her family and friends. She was her family's biggest cheerleader, sitting front and center at every play and sporting event in which her children participated. In later years, she became "Gran" with ease and enthusiasm, even taking on weekly babysitting duties for each of her grandchildren to help their working parents.

Her generous and sincerely kind spirit will be missed by all who knew her.

Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home--Mount Auburn in Cape Girardeau. Parish prayers will be held at 3 p.m.

The Rev. Rick Jones will celebrate the funeral Mass Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Entombment will immediately follow at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Parkinson's Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.