Catherine Mary Crimmins

Catherine M. Crimmins of Winter Haven, Florida died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of April 3rd, 2025 at the age of 61.  

Catherine is survived by her husband Brian Crimmins, son Kenneth (Ashlyn) Crimmins, sister Joan Dempsey, brother Patrick (Carrieanne) Dempsey,    Godmother and Aunt Arlene Weston, In-laws Eugene and Carol Crimmins, Christine (Ron) Grippi, Eugene (Trish) Crimmins, Nieces and Nephews, Stephen (Irene) Grippi, Ashley (Thomas) Burke, Ellen Grippi, Katlyn Dempsey, David Crimmins, Mackenzie Dempsey, Caroline Crimmins, Meghan Dempsey and Patrick Dempsey, Godson Anthony Bonacci, honorary children Ry Cavanagh, and Anthony (Ryan) Delorme, and countless relatives and friends which she held close to her heart.  

She was preceded in death by her son Brian Andrew, Parents Patrick N. and Catherine M. Dempsey, Paternal Grandparents Patrick and Belinda Dempsey, Maternal Grandparents Harold and Helen McGovern, Godfather and Uncle Michael Dempsey, Uncles William Dempsey and Edward McGovern, Aunts Roseann Neary and Helen Johnson, Cousins William Dempsey, Patricia Dempsey, Tommy Neary, Thomas Iezza, and Patricia Johnson.  

Catherine was born in New York and was known to friends and family as Cathy. She was a proud graduate of the Mary Louis Academy in Flushing, Queens. She met her best friend and husband  of 39 years, Brian, while working at the Flushing Savings Bank in New Hyde Park.  They spent their marriage living life to its fullest, and the stories of their many road trips, vacations, and adventures could fill all the books in a library and all the hearts of those who hear them. They overcame adversities beyond count and shared in experiences that brought her endless joy. She spent the last months of her life with him, exploring Florida and enjoying retirement.

Cathy worked a 40-year career for the United States Postal Service, and while she would never have said that she loved her job and considered the word “work” to be a profanity once she was off the clock, she was unquestionably proud of her service in the career she shared with her father. Some of her happiest moments were conversations “talking shop” with her father while sitting on the deck or the patio.  She was always considered to be the person who knew the regulations and procedures better than the people who wrote them, and was always willing to offer a helping hand or advice to her co-workers and friends.  

It was through the USPS where she made most of her lifelong friendships and discovered her passion as a supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs. She could often be found on a football Sunday avidly watching the game at Shenanigans with her fellow Chiefs fans (and the supporters of lesser teams whom she loved no less dearly). She was known and loved for cracking the windows and walls of whatever building she found herself in with the volume of her shouts of “TOUCHDOWN, KANSAS CITY!”.  

Cathy was an avid viewer of movies and television, and once she found a show she liked, you could count on seeing it a thousand times. She was an even more voracious reader and family and friends would stare in awe at her Goodreads record showing she had gone through more than a book a day consistently every year. She was a lover of American History and shared that love with family whenever the opportunity arose. 

If asked, Cathy would always say her life’s work and true calling was to be a mother. This was a role for which she was perfectly suited. She devoted her life to ensuring her son was provided for and through her teaching would be able to meet the challenges of life with consistency, morality, and vigor. She made damn sure that he always had the perfect model of integrity, strength, empathy, perseverance, and love from which to draw inspiration. Her motherly talents were not limited to raising her son, and she was considered an honorary Mom to many friends and family members throughout her life.  She touched thousands of lives in innumerable ways and the impact of her life, her lessons, and her boundless love for all she knew will reverberate through the future for generations to come. 

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 28th, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 13060 Palomino Lane, Ft. Myers, Florida, 33912. 

The interment will be immediately following the mass at the St. John XXIII Catholic Church Memorial Garden.  

If you are unable to attend in person the funeral will be available to view via Zoom through the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84581105575?pwd=DxRlaF2xv23wU9sjNYlc1uYkA8odHH.1 

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute in Cathy’s Memory can donate to the Priest Holmes foundation or a charity of your choosing

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