Catherine Marie Artkop-Fiala

1955 - 2023

Catherine Marie Burger Artkop-Fiala, 68, of Frederick, MD, passed away on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on May 17, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Henrietta H.W. (Downs) and Floyd E. Burger.

Cathy was a 1973 graduate of South Hagerstown High School.

She was born with a wild spirit. Fiercely independent and strong, there was nothing she could not do. That spirit and drive led her to a lifelong career of driving a dump truck for various companies. After retirement, and most recently, she was employed at the Mountain Dale Convenience Store, where she never met a stranger.

If you were downtrodden, you were getting a hug, whether you wished for one or not. She lived for the strays, whether animal or human. She was there to pick up the pieces.

At last, she will finally be able to hold her infant son, Dennis Ray Shawyer, Jr, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Robert H. Fiala of Frederick, her daughters, Samantha S. (Willis) Frazee and Michelle Y. (Wyant) Phillips (James), both of Hagerstown, and her step-son, Kyle R. Fiala, of Virginia. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Sydney S. Fritz (Nicholas), Albert W. Frazee IV, Stone M. Phillips and Genevieve E. Phillips, and 2 great grandchildren, Ellory and Ensley Fritz. She is survived by her siblings, Thomas W. Burger, Frances E. Snyder, Cheryl A. Zaleski and Stephanie A. Carl. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Barbra Fiala, of New Jersey.

In addition to her parents and son, she was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, A. Wayne Frazee III.

Per her wishes, there will be no services. A private graveside internment will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society, San Antonio, TX.

Arrangements were made by J.L. Davis Funeral Home, Smithsburg, MD, and online condolences can be offered at www.jldavisfh.com. Catherine Artkop-Fiala