Catherine "Cathy" Kagan

Catherine Kagan, 61, passed away on November 21, 2025. Born in Springfield, MA. She was the daughter of the late Falcoln Barnes and Shirley (Day) Barnes. Cathy was "Smom" to Zane Kagan and his fiancé Yana Dyurteyeva, Cam Kagan & his companion Haley Fountain. Sister of Kenneth Barnes and his wife Marianne, Charles Barnes and his wife Sandy, and the late Robert F. Barnes and his wife Nancy Barnes. She was a loving aunt of Jason Barnes, Amanda Barnes and her companion David Provost, Katrina Barnes and her companion Vincent Calvanese, Jr., Shaun Barnes and his wife Lydia, Melissa Spears and her husband Brent. Cathy was also a great-aunt to many. She also leaves behind the peanut butter to her jelly - Doug Dawson and so many friends that were family.

Celebrating the Unstoppable, Unfiltered, Forever-25 Cathy

The heavens better brace themselves, because Cathy-61 years on paper, 25 in spirit, and 17 in decision-making-has officially arrived on November 21, 2025 And if they think they're getting a quiet newcomer, they are in for a rude awakening.

Cathy didn't just live life; she lived out loud, on purpose, and with zero apologies. If there was a microphone, she grabbed it. If there wasn't, she became the microphone. She sang, she sparkled, she stirred the pot, and she made sure everyone around her had a drink, a laugh, and occasionally a reality check.

Outgoing? Please. Cathy could make friends with a lamp. Strangers, bartenders, waitresses, your cousin she just met 10 seconds ago-everyone fell into her orbit. Her social network was bigger than most Wi-Fi ranges.

And generous? Absolutely. She'd give you the shirt off her back-though knowing Cathy, it was probably sequined, slightly inappropriate, and matched her shoes. She shared everything: her food, her advice, her closet, her questionable ideas, and every story she had (multiple times, depending on how much wine was involved).

Aging tried to catch her, but she outran it in heels. High ones. She lived with the energy of someone who had no time for nonsense and every intention of squeezing joy out of every minute. Cathy made life fun. Chaotic, loud, sparkly, deliciously fun.

She leaves behind family and friends who adored her and are currently wondering how they're supposed to function without her commentary, her karaoke, or her ability to turn any gathering into a full-blown event. They'll miss her laugh, her voice, her generosity, and her iconic motto: "Come on-live a little!"

In honor of Cathy, we ask that everyone celebrate exactly as she would demand: dressed up, turned up, laughing loudly, unafraid of attention, and absolutely refusing to act their age.

Because Cathy didn't just leave a legacy-she left instructions.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, December 1, 2025, from 5 – 7 PM at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow.

Family and friends are also invited to join one another for a funeral home service honoring Cathy on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, a funeral home service will take place at 11AM.