Catherine Tavanello

Catherine (Cathy) Jean Tavanello passed away from this life in the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 19th, 2025.

Funeral services will be held 10: 00 a.m. Saturday, August 30, 2025, in Newkirk First united Methodist Church with Pastor Clayton Pappan officiating. Interment will follow in the Newkirk City cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Miller Stahl Funeral Home, 128 S. Main, Newkirk, OK 74647. Family has asked in lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the St John's Lutheran Church in Newkirk, OK.

Born Catherine Jean Robinson on March 14th, 1958, in Blackwell Oklahoma, to Bob and Wanda (Enninga) Robinson. The young family started a life in Hobbs New Mexico and then settled in Newkirk Oklahoma where Cathy was raised. There she attended Newkirk Public Schools through her graduation with the class of 1976. She then attended Northern Oklahoma College before embarking on a career in public service. Cathy worked most prominently as a member of the District Attorney’s bogus check team. She was part of a pioneering team in this area and began a career that spanned 30 years, until her retirement in 2008.

She met and later married police officer, Rod Tavanello, originally of Wadsworth Ohio, on June 29th, 1985. Together they had two daughters, Danielle and Ashley Tavanello. The family spent their early years together, residing in Ponca City. Later relocating to a small farmhouse on the North end of Newkirk.

Being a people person meant that Cathy was not going to sit at home for long. Shortly after her initial retirement, she went to work for Equity Bank and then, again for the District Attorney’s office, doing odd jobs that would allow her to continue to use her wealth of knowledge and socialize with the community and the people she had grown to love.

Cathy eventually retired “for good” in 2022 and moved back to Ponca City where she began traveling with friends and family. She often spoke of using her time to enjoy the beauty that could be found by exploring new places. Recently traveling to areas of the Caribbean for relaxation and fun in the sun.

She was an avid bowler for many years, later finding a love for golf. She enjoyed taking golf lessons and participating in “ladies' nights” at the local golf course and could often be found volunteering at the Cherokee Strip Golf Fundraiser.

Acts of service were a top priority for her. She volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program and as a lifelong member of the Newkirk St. John’s Lutheran Church, she became involved in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Cathy was a kind soul with a BIG heart. She loved her family and friends wholeheartedly! Some might say, she never met a stranger and if you were a stranger to begin with, it wouldn’t be long before you were a friend.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and both sets of grandparents. She is survived by daughter Danielle (Ty Collyar) and their children Presley and Holtyn; Daughter Ashley (Josh Jones) and children Carter, Jace and Jaylee. Sister Chrissie Shook and husband Terry. Sister Carol Hines, as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Psalm 73:36- My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.