Catherine Anna Richard

Catherine Anna Richard, or Cathy as she liked to be called, was born Catherine Anna Schell on February 12, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Robert and Dorothy Schell. The family moved to Gulfport, Florida in 1955 and Cathy grew up with loving and dedicated parents. She attended Holt Cross School and worshiped at Holy Name Church. She graduated from Boca Ciega High School in 1967 and attended St. Petersburg Junior College. In 1969 she met the love of her life- Lynn Richard and they were married on March 20, 1971. Cathy left school to work for Allstate Insurance Company while Lynn finished college and that led to a 38 year career with Allstate where she quickly became known as a valuble and dedicated employee. Cathy and Lynn were both involved in many community activities and traveled widely throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America and the Caribbean before Cathy gave birth to Robert, the "new' love of her life on November 30, 1984. She was dedicated to many school activities as well as community work as Robert grew up, eventually graduating from the University of Florida. He me his wife to be, and Cathy's newest love of her life- Heather Holtzman and they were married in 2007. Heather and Rob are expecting Cathy's most anticipated "love of her life" grandchild Lucas Allen, in September. She sadly helped bury her father, Robert a short time ago, but she also developed an even stronger bond with her mother who now helps bury her loving daughter. While Cathy left us early, she lived a full and happy life, and even while battling cancer in the last five years she was a loving and dedicated wife and mother She was a genuine friend and the people who met her or came to know her immediately knew she was someone special, someone who cared about them- someone who was willing to drop everything and help at any time. Her deepest regret in being called away early was that she will have to watch over her family and especially her grandson, from heaven. We will all miss her deeply. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:30AM Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at the Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Gulfport. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memory Gardens. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Central Avenue Chapel, St. Petersburg is serving the family Service Information