Mary Catherine Foster "Cathy" Burch

1965 - 2024

Mary Catherine "Cathy" Foster Burch
02/19/1965 - 07/28/2024
Mary Catherine "Cathy" Foster Burch went to be with the Lord on July 28, 2024, after a courageous and lengthy battle with breast cancer. While the joy that Cathy brought to this world was taken from us far too soon, her family is grateful that we were able to share her final days with family and many friends - praying, laughing, and loving. We know she is with God now and no longer in pain.
Cathy was born in Houston, Texas on February 19, 1965, to Mary Jane Casimir and the late Tom Foster. Raised in a military family, Cathy was well-traveled and learned at an early age how to make friends easily. She was a natural in any setting with her beautiful smile, loving heart, and joyful demeanor. Her stepfather Jack Casimir described her personality perfectly "Cathy was a beautiful person in every way, bright, positive and personable. She could light up a room when she walked in."
Her family resided in numerous places before returning to Houston for her high school years. A true '80s girl, you could find Cathy cruising the streets of Kingwood in her canary-yellow Volkswagen "Bug," with a rainbow sticker on the rear window, listening to TOTO. Traveling to Europe over summer breaks, she showed her vivacious spirit at age 16, by driving 100 m.p.h. on the autobahn in her father's Porsche. Cathy always lived life to the fullest, but don't let the blonde hair fool you, she was a serious scholar and musician. She graduated from Kingwood High School in 1983, was a member of the National Honor Society, active in student council, served as class treasurer, played the French horn for the Kingwood High School Band, and was an accomplished pianist.
Cathy attended the University of Texas, earning her degree in Finance and Marketing, and was proudly active in her sorority � Alpha Chi Omega. After graduation, Cathy became an Account Executive for AT&T.
During her time at AT&T, Cathy had several conversations with Peyton Burch � including successfully selling a new phone system for Burch & Co. CPAs. Cathy's level of customer service left an indelible impression on him, and he told his friends that "if this girl is as pretty as she sounds on the phone, she has to be gorgeous." When they finally met in person, she turned out more beautiful than she sounded. Peyton knew he had found the perfect wife and mother when he took Cathy to meet his parents for the first time, as all she wanted to do was see the family pictures of him from when he was little.
While they were dating, Cathy returned to the University of Texas for law school and received her J.D. in 1993. In typical Cathy fashion, she sat for (and passed) the bar exam and planned their wedding that summer. Cathy and Peyton were married on September 11, 1993, at St. Martin's Church.
Cathy worked for several years at a specialty litigation firm in Houston focusing on maritime law. Cathy and Peyton were blessed with two children, Allison, born in November of 1996, and Trent, born in August of 2000. Shortly after Trent joined the family, Cathy embraced her passion as a full-time mom. Whatever the event - musical theater productions, baseball, softball, basketball, swim meets, room mother responsibilities, book fairs, Sunday School teacher - Cathy was devoted to her children and enjoying life with her family. The long-since vanished VW had been replaced by her legendary "Mom" car, a Toyota Highlander named "Goldie" as Cathy tirelessly chauffeured the gang to the activity du jour.
Cathy loved the West University Jazzercise group. She delighted in her annual girls' trips with her sorority sisters, book club meetings, work trips with Peyton, Browning St. block parties and the legendary Casimir Family Vacations. She was also a member of the Briar Club and Junior League. As her children were leaving home for college, she channeled her energy into teaching pre-school at West University Methodist.
Cathy's faith played a big part in her life. She was very involved in St. John the Divine as a volunteer, acolyte coordinator, and member of the ECW. She participated in multiple bible studies at several churches, and she never missed a Moms in Prayer (MIP) meeting where she was part of a wonderful community of awesome Christian moms. (Cathy attended her last MIP meeting from her hospital bed the Sunday before she died.)
Cathy's favorite word was "joy." When the tragic cancer diagnosis came in 2017, she organized Team Joyful as part of a record setting fundraising effort for the MD Anderson Boot Walk. Despite her diagnosis, her faith never wavered - in fact it intensified thanks to the legion of prayer warriors supporting her.
"Goldie" had been replaced by a convertible, and Cathy loved sporting around with the top down, sunglasses on and that ubiquitous smile on her face. She found joy and comfort in seeing what wonderful people Allison and Trent have become. And now, Cathy is finding true joy in Heaven.
Her family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, technicians, and caregivers at MD Anderson who treated Cathy with compassion, care, and the best medical treatments available. The family is especially grateful to her Moms In Prayer sister, Dr. Nancy Perrier for her inspirational support and devotion to Cathy.
Cathy was pre-deceased by her father, Tom Foster, her father-in-law Randy Burch, her grandparents Rufus and Bobbi Foster and Charles and Jane Johnson. Cathy is survived by her loving husband Peyton and her children Allison and Trent, her mother Mary Jane Casimir and her husband Jack, her mother-in-law Elizabeth Burch, her brother Rick Foster and wife Shelly and their daughters Callie and Kelsey, and her sister-in-law Marion Burch and son Dylan. Cathy was blessed to be part of a large, loving family - too numerous to list here, but all with a special place in her heart.
The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., with Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill officiating. There will be reception celebrating Cathy at the Briar Club, 2603 Timmons Ln., immediately following the service.
Cathy will be interred at The Garden of the Resurrection at The Church of St. John the Divine in private ceremony at a later date.
In lieu of customary remembrances, please consider a donation to The Church of St. John the Divine https://onrealm.org/StJohnDivineEpi98922/-/form/give/now or MD Anderson https://gifts.mdanderson.org