Cathy Lee Sunbury

Cathy Lee Sunbury 72 a Wallingford, CT native, died on Saturday, April 15th, 2023, at Wellstar Douglas Hospital from complications related to advanced Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension.

Cathy passed from this world as peaceably as she lived, holding the hands of her son and brother. When doctors broke the news to Cathy that her time had come, she was surprised and wrote down "Well sh*t!!" on her little pink notepad that became her voice in her final days. Ever the optimist, it was clear this "setback" as she texted her daughter did not fit with all the living she still planned to do.

Cathy was born to the late William A. Sunbury, Sr., and Mary Jane (Black) on June 4, 1950, in Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury, CT. Being born post WWII during a time of great national optimism shaped Cathy's life and made her determined to live life to the fullest. Her father was overheard saying on more than one occasion "Cathy could be on a deserted island, pound the sand 3 times with her foot, and drum up a party."

Cathy was baptized in Naugatuck, CT at the First Congregational Church and attended the First Congregational Church in Wallingford, CT until she went to college. She attended Salem Elementary School in Naugatuck, CT, Parker Farms Elementary School and Highland School in Wallingford, CT, James H. Moran Junior High School, and Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford, CT. It was in high school that she began playing violin. She graduated high school in 1968 and went on to study Illustration at Paier College of Art.

Cathy's career started with illustration but eventually made its way to her true purpose. After college, Cathy followed the family south and settled in the metro Atlanta, GA area to work at Decatur News, followed by a short stint in South Georgia working at a large printing company and as freelance artist. She returned to the metro area where after some time she worked at Georgia Pacific which led to an unexpected but suiting move to Eugene, OR. In Oregon, where she finally got her hippie card stamped, she worked in the lumber industry and saved up enough to purchase her first home. At age 50, Cathy earned her degree as a Medical Assistant and worked until she returned to Georgia to retire in Douglasville with her son and his family.

Cathy loved music and continued playing violin throughout her life. She played violin in Eugene/Springfield, OR with the community orchestra, a Celtic ensemble, and for hire at weddings. She also played violin with the Douglasville, GA Christian Community Orchestra, and handbells at First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville where she was a member. Never one to sit around, she often volunteered at the local food bank and helped to carve a rosette as part of The Albany Historic Carousel Project in Albany, OR.

Anyone who ever invited Cathy over just knew she was sure to show up with a Trader Joe's reusable bag of goodies over one shoulder, a cutout from a magazine of a new recipe she wanted to share, a bottle of wine, one small potted plant which had its own story, and her violin, named "Preacher." Cathy was also known for her handmade crafts and greeting cards which were often made with paper she picked out in Florence, Italy when she went on a Grand Tour with her daughter and "second son."

Cathy is survived by her former husband David S. Blevins (Patricia E, Davis) of Griffin, GA and their two children Christian D. Blevins, Sr. (Erin Carnahan) of Douglasville, GA, and Julia M. Blevins (Gus Huber) of Cumming, GA. She was a proud Grammy to her three grandchildren Christian D. Blevins, Jr., William A. Huber, Walter L. Huber and hopes she taught them to stop and enjoy a popsicle or two on occasion. Left without a designated mediator are her older sister Martha Jane Sunbury of Asheville, NC, and best buddy, younger brother, William A. Sunbury, Jr. (Mary Ann) of Thomson, GA. She will be missed by her aunt, Pat Morgan (Sunbury) of Holiday, FL. Long-time friends Nancy Koontz of Asheville, NC, Sheila Sprinkle Dunn of Griffin, GA, Kathy Millet of Douglasville, GA, Michele Ward of Eugene, OR, and Marie Buscemi of Eugene, OR were equally surprised and saddened by the sudden news and gathered over the phone and by her bedside in love and support.

Cathy was outlived by her beloved and faithful companion of 16 years, Meli whom she doted on and fed better than herself.

A celebration of Cathy's beautiful life will be held 10 AM Saturday, June 10th at Honey Creek Woodlands, Conyers, GA officiated by James Harper of First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville, GA. A reception luncheon at Mystic Grill, Conyers, GA will follow the service.

Cathy requested memorial donations be made to https://www.onespiritlakota.org/.

The family is forever grateful for the ICU doctors and staff at WellStar Douglas Hospital for the great care and compassion at the end of Cathy's life and to the friends that knew and loved her.