Catherine Louise Whitaker

Catherine Louise Whitaker died Friday, May 30th, at her home in Marion, Kansas.

Catherine Louise Bishop was born August 19, 1959, to Wilber Daryl and Anna Marie (Deters) Bishop. She was the 7th of 11 children born into a close, loving Catholic family. Cathy was raised in Axtell, Kansas. She attended St. Michael's Grade School and Axtell High School where she graduated as Salutatorian of her class.

Catherine attended Emporia State University and Newman's School of Nursing where she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1982. During her life, she worked as a Nurse, School Nurse, Religious Education Director for the Holy Family Parish, and a Teacher's Aide. Cathy worked as a Nurse in Emporia, Arkansas City and Marion, Kansas, as well as Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

Cathy met Neal Whitaker in the summer of 1982. They met through mutual friends at Emporia State University, but immediately struck up a conversation because Cathy, as a student nurse, was taking care of Neal's mother, Lila. Cathy mentioned to Lila that she had met Neal and by the end of the day, Lila had provided Cathy with Neal's full name, address, telephone number, date of birth, social security number and driver's license identifiers. They were married on October 15th, 1983. Cathy was the sole girlfriend of Neal’s of which his mother fully approved.

To this union were born three daughters, Megan Marie (Whitaker) Jones, Katelyn Kristine Whitaker, and Alicen (Annie) Anne Whitaker-Hilbig.

The passions in Cathy's life were her family, her church, nursing, singing and theatre. She supported her children in all their endeavors serving as a 4-H cooking, sewing and community leader, Girl Scout leader, and sponsoring a high school dance team. She was their Sunday School teacher during the important year when they accomplished their First Communion.

Cathy had a beautiful voice for which she earned several I ratings at High School State Music Competitions. She was a Church Song Leader, Choir Soloist, and was frequently asked to sing at weddings, funerals and community events.

Cathy founded and directed the Marion Children's Summer Theater for 10 years. The fruits of her labor were evident for many years afterwards, as her seasoned actors performed in High School plays. This passion for acting was passed to daughters, Katelyn Whitaker, who has directed a dozen plays at both Miltonvale and Burlingame High Schools, and Megan Jones, who has resurrected the Marion Children's Summer Theater and is directing the Marion High School plays.

Cathy suspended her nursing career to care for her young family. She was unable to return to a much-changed field, so Cathy moved on to positions of school nurse, religious education director and teacher's aide. However, Cathy's passion for health care was continued by her youngest daughter, Dr. Alicen (Annie) Whitaker-Hilbig, who has a PhD in Physical Therapy and is a researcher in that field.

Cathy was diagnosed with dementia in the fall of 2014. As she lost the ability to speak, her diagnosis was updated to Frontal-Temporal Dementia. As a nurse, she fully understood the implications of her diagnosis. However, she courageously accepted the ravages of her condition - never complaining of freedoms lost, graciously accepting help, adapting to special equipment, and maintaining a cheerful demeanor. Her very last sentence, to granddaughter Madolyn more than 3 years ago, was "I love you, little girl".

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, sister Carol Jean Bishop, brothers Jon Charles and Kenton Bishop, sister-in-law Amanda Bishop and nephew Mathias Krier. She is survived by husband Neal Whitaker of Marion; daughters Megan (Daryl) Jones of Marion, Katelyn (Brian Good) Whitaker of Topeka, KS, and Alicen (Brenton) Whitaker-Hilbig of Milwaukee, WI; her precious granddaughters Cecilia Doris and Madolyn Louise Jones of Marion. Surviving siblings include Carla Bishop of Axtell, KS, Seth Bishop of Axtell, KS, Corrine (Neeraj) Magotra of Longmeadow, MA, Christine (Terry) Krier of McPherson, KS, Bill (Laurie) Bishop of Saraland, AL, Cynthia (Jerry) Eckles of Lake City, KS, and David (Gigi) Bishop of Henderson, NV.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 4th, from 4-6 p.m. at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, 205 Elm Street, Marion, KS. A Vigil and Rosary Service will be June 4th, at 7 p.m. at Holy Family Parish, 415 N. Cedar, Marion, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, June 5th from10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Parish with burial at Marion Cemetery. Following burial there will be a luncheon and Celebration of Life at the Holy Family Activities Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the Marion Summer Children’s Theater in care of Yazel-Megli Funeral Home.