Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Catherine Irwin Obituary
Catherine Marie Irwin, age 58, of Erie, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 4, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 6, 1955, in Lawton, Okla., the daughter of the late Edward and Mary Bryan.
Cathy was employed at Ponderosa Steak House for over 18 years. She truly enjoyed serving her customers. Her beautiful smile and warm hospitality turned many customers into friends. Cathy's greatest love was spending time with her family.
She is survived by her fiancé, David Hetrick, two daughters, Sheila Brojek (Robert Vincent), Trina McGill (William), son, Jody Irwin (Brenda), seven grandchildren: Christopher, Nicholas (Gina), Jacob, Mikatelyn, Collin, Cassandra, Zachary, one great granddaughter, Anna, and her faithful companion, Diamond. She's further survived by three sisters, Janet, Evelyn, Vivian (Jay), three brothers, Edward, Harlan (Sheila), Philip (Crystal), and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Merle E. Wood Funeral Home, Inc.; friends may call at the Brugger Funeral Homes and Crematory, 845 East 38th Street at Pine Ave., on Monday from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., and are invited there on Tuesday for the funeral service at 1:00 p.m., officiated by her son, Pastor Jody Irwin. Interment will be in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.merlewoodfh.com.
Memorial may be made to ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association, P.O. Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102.
Sign the Guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Catherine Irwin
October 8, 2014
I will miss all the memories I shared with you gma <3 You will live forever in our hearts! Love you always and forever!!
Mark & Cathy Shettler
October 8, 2014
What a joy it was to go to Ponderosa and ask for Cathy to be our waitress. She always had a positive attitude and a friendly smile. Her family is in our prayers.
Sandy (Manners) Slagle
October 7, 2014
Dear Irwin and Bryan families
Sorry to hear of Cathy's passing. She was such a happy go lucky lady and I enjoyed meeting her a few times.She was so devoted to her children and grandchildren! Remember all the wonderful times you had and know she is now in Heaven looking down and smiling on all of you.
Gary & Pam Nichols
October 7, 2014
Very Sorry for your loss. Praying that the lord will give the Irwin family strength through this time.
Mark & Bonnie Shannon
October 7, 2014
Sheila and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most difficult time. May His peace and grace comfort you and sustain you as you grieve, and may His love show you the Angel you have given to Heaven.
Karen Ondreako
October 7, 2014
I will miss you deeply my friend. You gave me such great memories to cherish of the good times that we had together.
You will always be in my heart
Sue Lichtenberger
October 6, 2014
Sheila,
Although there are no words to ease the pain and sorrow, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God watch over you and your family.
Sue and Mary
Stacey and Sharon Dawalt
October 6, 2014
Sheila,Trina,Jody and Grandchildren. With tears in our eyes we have to sometimes say goodbye, we are so sorry for the loss of your Mother and Grandmother! You all have been and continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. As someone else already said in these comments God now has another Angel and she will be looking after all of you. Sorry we cannot make the celebration of her life but you have our deepest love!
October 6, 2014
Trina and William and family. I am sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do please call me.
Love Aunt Carol
October 6, 2014
Sheila, Trina & Jody, I am so sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. What a joy she brought to everyone with her happy heart, beautiful smile and kindness. We spent so many wonderful hours together when we lived on Woodlawn. May HE comfort you all during this time and send His peace. Sherry Schaaf
Kayla Lino
October 6, 2014
Chris, Nick and Family,
May your hearts be filled with peace and wonderful memories together as you celebrate Gramma Irwin's life. She was a sweet soul that brought so much love to my childhood and I'm so very sorry she is gone. I love you guys.
With love,
Char and Joe Illig
October 6, 2014
Jody, Brenda and Family,
You all have our deepest sympathy at this time and we're so sorry for your loss. Cathy was a great person and she will be sadly missed. God Bless you all.
Char and Joe
Dixie McFeely
October 6, 2014
I am very sorry to hear that Cathy passed away.God must have needed another special person to be with him.
Corry & Alissa Lino
October 6, 2014
Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow, you are in our prayers. May you take comfort in knowing an angel is watching over you.
Michelle Dipaolo
October 6, 2014
To the whole family I am so deeply sorry for your loss. It broke my heart to hear of Cathy's passing. She was an incredible woman. Not only did I grow up down the street from her and grew up with her and your wonderful family I also worked with her for 5+ years at ponderosa. She was such a caring and loving person and was so saddened to hear she was gone. My thoughts are with you all in this difficult time. Much love and prayers are being sent your way..
Jeremy Anderson
October 5, 2014
Cathy,
I am so very sad to hear of your passing. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten. You've touched my life in a way that is hard to describe in words. Your kind smile and encouraging words I will always remember. I am so lucky to have worked with such a beautiful person inside and out. I will miss you, "Mama Cathy" .
With sympathy
Al Irwin
October 5, 2014
My prayers go out to our whole family. Cathy is in a far better place now without pain or worries. We should all think about all the good times and cherish the memories until the day comes when we join her.
Katie Mcgill
October 5, 2014
Grandma, I love you so much. I'm happy you are in peace with the lord and I know you are happy in heaven. I can't wait to be with you again.
Sheila Brojek - Irwin
October 5, 2014
Mom I will forever miss you and look forward to the day we are together again. I love you always.
Lynn Duda
October 5, 2014
My love and condolences to all of Cathy's family and to my dear nephew David. I am so very thankful for the love she showed to him each day and sad I did not get to tell her myself.
Linda and Jim Duda
Rosemary Brojek
October 5, 2014
To our other family, We just don't have enough words to say how much we loved your mom. I could go on and on . Such a strong and loving women and funny and forgiving and she will be missed by many people who crossed her path .Jim and Rosemary.
October 5, 2014
Sheila, Jody and Trina,
We are very sorry to hear of yours Mom's passing. She was always so pleasant to everyone! We always enjoyed bumping into her somewhere, and catching up on everything. Her biggest pride was her kids and grandkids! Keep your thoughts on all the good times.
Marilyn and Roger Bush
October 5, 2014
An Angel on Earth , An Angel in Heaven
Philip Kestel ll
October 5, 2014
Trina ,
I worked with you and your mom at Ponderosa and she was loved by all of us . I am sorry for your loss . I called her " mom " too .
She was a special lady , warm , friendly and loving . You are in our thoughts and prayers .
Philip Kestel ll
Darlene Bush
October 5, 2014
So sorry for your loss. But she is flying high with our Lord and Saviour now. And what great beauty that is. Love and prayers goin out to you all.
Phil Kestel
October 5, 2014
Trina & family ,
We are sorry for your loss . Walking into Ponderosa and being met by Cathy brought a smile to everyone's face . Your mother was a truly beautiful woman , her smile was contagious . She was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing her . Our condolences .
Phil & Nina Kestel
Philip Kestel ll
October 5, 2014
Trina,
I am sorry for your loss , I enjoyed working with your mom at Ponderosa , so much so that I would call her " mom " too . She always had a smile and kind words for everyone .
Know that she was loved by all .
Philip Kestel ll
Wendy Chwatek
October 5, 2014
Jody, Brenda, Collin and Cassie,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Jody's Mother. May all the love and memories you created with her, remain with you always.
Prayers of Strength and Comfort from our home and hearts to yours,
Jason, Wendy, Gracie, Dylan and Tucker Chwatek
Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results
Make a Donation
in Catherine Irwin's name
Memorial Events
for Catherine Irwin
How to support Catherine's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Catherine Irwin's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
