The family of Catherine (Cathy) Lyman is deeply appreciative of the many expressions celebrating Cathy’s life that we have been able to share with her around her recent illness. Through music, recalled experiences, and offerings of peace, love, and hope, you have eased her transition in countless ways. Cathy died the morning of July 15th, 2022 in tranquil rest at home surrounded by the love of her husband and children. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
Cathy was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 28th, 1950. Eventually graduating from Barrington (Illinois) High School, the University of Wisconsin (BS, Sociology) and University of Oregon (MS, Learning Disabilities), Cathy embarked on a career as a special education teacher lasting 32 years that began in Milwaukee, continued in Baltimore, and finished in Lawrence, Kansas, the last 14 years at Lawrence High School. Her life is marked by laughter, kindness, caring, optimism and her desire to help others. Cathy became a certified master gardener after retiring, continuing to help young people learn the joys of the plant world. She was an avid craftsperson with an artistic eye, creating dolls, clothing, challah covers or whimsical objects she gave as gifts. Her annual block carving holiday cards were greatly anticipated by the many people she hand wrote letters to then and throughout the year, usually enclosed with words of inspiration. In addition to her teaching, she was involved in schools as a girl’s volleyball coach, lifeguard, university instructor in special education, girl scout leader, guest speaker on “The ’60s,” registered instructor on Holocaust education, and advisor to numerous extracurricular activities, including ping pong club and diversity council. Her presence under the arch at Haskell Stadium taking tickets for Lawrence High School football games will be remembered by many. She had the heart of a lion.
Cathy is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Michael Fox, their two children Lyman, Lena and spouses Kristen and Fernando, and four beautiful grandchildren. No funeral is planned. Her ashes will be buried at Beni Israel Cemetery in Eudora, Kansas at a later date. Contributions in Cathy’s name may be made to the Lawrence Schools Foundation, https://lawrenceschoolsfoundation.org/donate/
