Cathy Paluch

1948 - 2025

Cathy Paluch, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother (Ooma), daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sept. 30, 2025. Born Catherine Caroline Bovie on Oct. 28, 1948, in Chicago, IL. the daughter of David Bovie and Lucille (Osborn) Bovie.
After graduating from Evergreen Park High School, she started a secretarial career. On Oct. 26, 1969, she married her high school sweetheart Gary Paluch, who she met at the age of 13. They honeymooned at Holmes Resort on Three Mile Lake where Gary's family had vacationed for many years. On Aug. 22, 1971, she was blessed by the birth of her only child, Jennifer (Jen Jen).
In 1975, they moved from Evergreen Park, IL, to purchase Holmes Resort and it became known as Paluch's Resort. She managed the resort and together with her husband, they ran a successful business of seven cabins and a camping spot for 14 summers, welcoming repeat vacationers from Memorial Day through Grape and Wine Festival weekend. Even though vacationers were sad to end their week stay at the resort, they were excited for the sendoff from the final Friday night bonfire where Cathy's beautiful voice was a highlight alongside Gary's singing and guitar playing. Every week their much-anticipated final song was "They Call the Wind Maria". When Cathy sang "Maaa-rye-eeeah" her voice seemed to echo over the lake. Every New Year's Eve, the phone would be taken off the hook and would be hung back up at 8 a.m. New Year's Day. The phone would ring immediately, and Cathy would spend her day at her desk in the back room of the house taking reservations for the upcoming summer from non-stop phone calls. The repeat vacationers became more than customers; some became very close friends. They would end the season with a pig roast that was enjoyed by family and friends.
In 1986, she and her family moved to Eagle Pass, TX, for a new opportunity in life. After three eventful years of making new friends and memories they decided to move back to Paw Paw to build a dream home where two of the cabins on the resort once stood. Throughout the years Cathy continued her secretarial career for several local businesses like Red Arrow Animal Clinic, Musselman's Applesauce and Bronson Paw Paw facility. On New Year's Day 2000, she remarried her husband, Gary. That same year she welcomed her first grandson Joseph "Joey" Gary Ujka who she taught to say "Ooooo-ooooma", thus Ooma became her official name. In 2022, she welcomed her second grandson, Eric "E-rock" Ujka. Ooma and her boys had many adventures having fun and being silly.
Cathy was blessed with a life full of adventures. Even surviving five heart surgeries, she kept on truckin' along. She loved animals and had many pets she would give her heart and soul to. Cathy had many hobbies through the years like bowling, fishing, camping, crafts, cross stitch, feeding the hummingbirds and orioles, gardening, spending time with friends and family, and mostly crocheting. During retirement she enjoyed the Paw Paw Senior Citizen Club where she would crochet hats for cancer patients with her friends. She also cherished her view of Three Mile Lake. When the sun would hit the water just right, she would say "Her diamonds on the lake were sparkling!"
Cathy is survived by her loving husband, Gary Paluch; cherished daughter, Jennifer Paluch; adored grandsons, Joseph (Alex Schultz) Ujka and Eric Ujka. Her earliest memories will live on with through the love she had and received from her siblings David (Carol) Bovie, Patty (Richard) Moir, and Marie Bovie. Her love and laughter will be missed by all, including caring and fun-loving cousins Skip (Judy) Lubinski, as well as many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Following a long and blessed life, we can look at the stars and know she will be welcomed into heaven with the open arms of our Lord, family, dear friends, and loved pets. "Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy." She would always tell Jennifer, Joey, and Eric "I love you up to the sky and down again and all around the world!" As the sun sets, we know that Cathy is at peace now knowing she loved fully, will be remembered with love, and is still loved unconditionally with her final words that were for Gary - "I love you too."
Family and friends are invited to her celebration of life on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 502 W. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Cathy's name to the American Heart Association, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish, or your local animal shelter.
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