Catherine Lynn Powers

Catherine L. Powers, affectionately known as Cathi to some and Mimi to others, was born on September 16, 1951, in the heartland of Ohio and gracefully exited this world on September 25, 2024, from Chesapeake, VA, at the youthful age of 73. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, love, and a penchant for living life with a touch of whimsy.
Cathi embarked on her grand adventure as an elementary school teacher, starting with wide-eyed kindergarteners and eventually graduating to the slightly larger but equally spirited second graders. Her classroom was a place where learning was an adventure, and her students were her greatest treasures.
Her interests were diverse and vibrant, much like herself. Cathi was a fervent supporter of Ohio State football, cheering loud enough to be heard in the Buckeye State. She also had a soft spot for the Green Bay Packers, making sure everyone knew that cheeseheads could be worn with style. When not on the sidelines of her grandchildren's sporting events, Cathi could often be found testing her luck at the slot machines with her best friends, Sue and Charlotte, where they surely left no stone unturned-or no slot machine unspun.
Cathi earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Elementary Education, a testament to her dedication to nurturing young minds. She was a woman of wisdom, wit, and unwavering warmth, preceded in death by her beloved parents, Marceil L. Swope and Richard W. Swope, along with her son-in-law, Thomas M. Bartee, with whom she is now reunited in the great beyond.
She is survived by a loving family who will forever cherish her memory: daughters, Jennifer Bartee and Nicole Naas (Mark); granddaughter, Lexx Smith (Cody); grandsons, Peyton and Dylan Bartee, Nikolas Naas (Macy) and Addison Naas; great-grandson, Rifften Potts; sister, Terri Cheney; nephew, Mason Cheney; niece, Monica Kroske (Paul) and great-nephews, Brody, Parker, and Dax.
Services to honor Cathi's vibrant life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Oman Funeral Home and Crematory at 653 Cedar Rd. Chesapeake, VA 23322. In true Cathi fashion, attendees are encouraged to wear her favorite color, pink, as we celebrate her remarkable journey. While our hearts ache from her departure, we find comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her parents and watching over us with her ever-present smile.
In the words of Cathi herself, life is too short not to add a smile, bling and a splash of pink to every day.