Catherine Anne BonDurant died October 23, a resident of North Woods Village, Mishawaka, Indiana. She was born March 13, 1942 in Holland, Michigan. Her parents were A. Paul Weidenhamer and Gertrude (Schaffer) Weidenhamer.
She graduated from Michigan State University in 1964 and taught elementary school for two years in Stevensville, Michigan. On August 6, 1966 she married David C. Cox in Holland, MI. Three sons were born of their marriage, Stephen F. Cox (Audra) and Martin P. Cox, of South Bend, and Daniel R. Cox (Tracy), of Wheaton, II.
David Cox died May 18, 1975. On September 22, 1979, Catherine married Bruce J. BonDurant in South Bend. They had two daughters, Elizabeth S. (Michael) Szymanski, of South Bend, and Margaret S. (Robert) Clemency of Crown Point, IN.
Cathy is survived by her husband, her five children, eleven grandchildren, and two step-daughters, Vicki Hodgkiss, of Fredonia, NY, and Catherine (Ronald) Perryman, of South Bend. She is also survived by a brother, Paul (Martha) J. Weidenhamer, of Holland, MI and several nieces. Cathy was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a long time member of the Michiana YMCA, where she considered her many friends there as “family”.
She devoted her life to volunteering, including working at the front desk of the Sister Maura Brannick Health Center, serving as a docent at Copshaholm, and preparing chicken tetrazzini casseroles each month for Hope Ministries. Although a life-long Catholic, she unselfishly helped Rev. Don Neely serve communion to First Presbyterian Church members living at St. Paul’s Retirement Community.
An accomplished seamstress, as a child, she sewed clothes for her many dolls, as well as for herself. As a member of the D.A.R., at Christmas she collected and delivered lap blankets to veterans residing in local nursing homes. Cathy had many friends and was loved for her bright personality and biting humor.
Every spring she would pull the little red wagon from the garage, fill it with her favorite flowers, and position it on the front yard for all passerbys to enjoy. At the time of her first husband’s death, at age 33 she was left with three young sons and two teen age step-daughters. She charged forward, not missing a beat, and was a wonderful mother to them and to her next set of daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret.
She also provided a loving home for her husband, Bruce. Cathy is missed by all of us. Visitation will be Sunday, October 28 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend.
A Rosary service will be held at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, 920 Wilber Street, South Bend, with a visitation one hour prior. Burial will take place at Bremen Cemetery. Donations may be given to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Genetics Core, Washington University in St. Louis, Attn: Joann Norton, Campus Box 8134, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www. palmerfuneralhomes.com. The family wishes to thank all the staff at North Woods Village for its loving care provided Cathy over the past four years.
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