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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Cathy Weaver

Cathy Weaver passed away July 25, 2026 after a battle with lung cancer. Born Catherine Adelaide Patterson, she was the oldest daughter of the late William J. and Mary Patterson. She was married for over forty years to John R. Weaver Jr., and the proud mother of Christy, Molly, and John Weaver III. Her extended family includes her mother-in-law Doris Weaver, and siblings Bill and Jane Patterson, Meg and Chuck Reller, Bob and Deb Patterson, Carolyn and Bill Best, Tricia and Mike Blake, and Allen Weaver, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. She loved her dogs (Finn and Ollie) and found great joy in their presence and antics.

Cathy graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, PA where she was the first female student body president and the first female to be awarded the Pepper Prize for outstanding student leadership. She earned a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in New Orleans, LA and completed the course requirements for an ED.D. at Neumann University where she also studied Pastoral Care and Spiritual Direction. Cathy also earned certificates in counseling from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Montessori administrator’s certificate from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education at the College of New Rochelle.

Cathy began her career as an admissions councilor at Lafayette and then joined Hercules incorporated where she worked in employment, compensation, and professional development. She also worked in Human Resources consulting before joining the educational team at Wilmington Montessori School. She held leadership positions there and then became Principal at Immaculate Heart of Mary School. She also served as Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Wilmington.

From education, Cathy moved to increasingly responsible positions within Catholic Healthcare. She was the Mission and Human Resources leader for Saint Francis Healthcare and also served as the Regional Senior Vice President for Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, providing Mission, Human Resources, and Community Health and Well-Being Services for Catholic hospitals in the Pennsylvania and Delaware area. Cathy’s final place of employment was as director of the Marydale Retirement Village, where she worked with a team of dedicated professionals from Catholic Charities to serve seniors and disabled persons who qualify for housing in this lovely garden apartment community. She retired from Marydale but continued to volunteer in service of the members of the Marydale community.

Cathy was blessed by the people who were part of the communities she served, and she was lifted up by their prayers, their service, and their desire to care for those who were poor and vulnerable. She was inspired and appreciated the opportunity to work with many religious sisters and communities during her career, and sends special appreciation to the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia who embraced and encouraged her throughout her life.

 

Funeral Services

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Church of the Holy Child, 2500 Naamans Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810, on August 3 at 11:30am, with the burial to follow at Lombardy Cemetery.  A visitation will be held an hour before the Mass beginning at 10:30am. There will also be a visitation held on Aug. 2 at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803, from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Cathy and her family thank all who touched her life with gratitude for their presence and caring. Memorial gifts may be made to the SFDE Colleague Assistance Program at Saint Francis Healthcare (701 North Clayton Street, Wilmington, DE 19805), the Marydale Retirement Village Activities Fund (135 Jeandell Drive, Newark, DE 19713), or New Beginnings Next Step, a program dedicated to helping returning citizens move forward from incarceration (P.O. Box 7211, Wilmington, DE 19803).

Condolences

    Johnny Weaver lit a candle and writes,
    I love you mom!
    07/28/2026 10:18 am
    Donna Krah writes,
    I was blessed to have served with Cathy during my time at St. Francis Hospital. Her mission oriented, servant leadership approach was such an inspiration, not only to me, but also to many others. I am grateful to have been mentored by Cathy and to have partnered with her during our time together. Her resolute faith, love of family, including her dogs, and service to others will be remembered. 💕
    07/28/2026 10:46 am
    Donna Robertson lit a candle and writes,
    Ms. Cathy you will never be forgotten. your kind and compassionate spirit will always be remembered. from the very first time meeting you at brackenville and you making sure my son and i were welcome into Sfh and some many years later be able to be in your presence while taking my mom for her treatment looking across the room and not wanting to intrude asking you could i sit with you and also give you a hug im grateful because once again with grace and warmtb you allowed me. One of the reasons i have excelled thank you rest well Ms.Cathy
    07/28/2026 10:56 am
    Bernice Jeffries writes,
    My deepest condolences to the Weaver family Cathy was such a wonderful lady and the best neighbor I could have asked for May her memory be a blessing
    07/28/2026 11:58 am
    Diane Kusup writes,
    Im so sorry for your loss. Sending condolences to all the family.
    07/28/2026 12:29 pm
    Arlene McGannon writes,
    I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of such a wonderful woman! Cathy and I served as Mission leaders within Trinity Health, and it was always a joy and inspiration to be with her. May her soul rest in eternal peace. My deepest sympathies to all the family.
    07/28/2026 12:31 pm
    Tissa Harrold Lewis lit a candle and writes,
    I only have Fond Memories of Cathy always working tirelessly throughout her rein at Wilmington Montessori School. She gave so much of herself in everything she did. I was fortunate to teach all three of her children. It was a Joy and privilege to know the whole family. My heart is sad. Sending Love, Peace, Hugs to her Family and Friends. 💗✌️🌻Tissa
    07/28/2026 12:48 pm
    Samantha Raftovich lit a candle and writes,
    Thank you for being a light in my life and so many others, Cathy! I love you!
    07/28/2026 12:57 pm
    Patrick Donovan lit a candle and writes,
    Cathy had a gentle spirit and a holy presence, whether she was two floors away or several states away. Every decision she made was rooted in prayer. She taught me that prayer teaches us to dream, to imagine the impossible. She taught me that prayer works against time, noise, language, pragmatism, and inability. For Cathy, prayer began with an appraisal of what we are and where we find ourselves, and then moves on to changing the situation and ourselves - whether we are new parents or trying to manage struggling teenagers. She taught us all that when we pray, change is inevitable. If you don’t want to change, she would remind us, then don’t pray. Everytime we texted or talked, I would be reminded that prayer is the start of a motion, a continuing transformation and upheaval. Things are never quite the same as before and there is no going back. Change means letting go, dying and rising. It is the continual paradox of death and resurrection, which is experienced in prayer. For prayer is a longing for change. It is asking that we become what God dreams us to be. If you don’t want to change then don’t pray. To live is to change. To be holy is to have changed often. Pray for us now, Cathy. You changed a lot of us.... and I will miss my friend and the wisdom she always shared.
    07/28/2026 01:41 pm
    Dan Holmes lit a candle and writes,
    I had the pleasure of working with Cathy at Marydale Retirement Village. She was always so kind and caring to our tenants, staff and volunteers. Despite the challenges of the position, she managed to smile and laugh and work with anyone on their level. She loved gardening and oversaw many improvements on the campus. She would often come in early to help some of our residents who were struggling to maintain their own little plots. She worked with me in designing an enclosed vegetable garden so that our residents could enjoy fresh produce. She was planning the next project, a Memorial Garden, when her health forced her to retire. That garden is slated for completion later this year. She was loved by many of our residents and will be missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
    07/28/2026 02:05 pm
    Marty Vonada writes,
    Cathy was such a kind and caring presence at St. Francis. She always went out of her way to do the absolute best for everyone. In particular, she assisted me through a very difficult transition during our time together ❤️
    07/28/2026 02:26 pm
    Colleen Davis writes,
    I was heartbroken to receive this news from Immaculate Heart of Mary today. Cathy was a wonderful principal when my children were at IHM. She was thoughtful and caring to all who knew her. Sending our deepest sympathy to her family who she loved so much. I have no doubt the angels came to greet her as she went home to our Lord. May her memories give her family solace. She will be greatly missed Colleen and family
    07/28/2026 03:15 pm
    Susan Gott lit a candle and writes,
    I will miss your strength, your kindness and above all your love
    07/28/2026 03:36 pm
    Debbie Denney writes,
    To Cathy's Family and Friends I wish to convey my deepest condolences for your loss. When I met Cathy I just thought wow, what an incredible woman she was. Her kindness and compassion towards others was so outstanding. I'm sure I can speak for all of us here at Marydale that she will surely be missed. God bless you always Cathy!
    07/28/2026 03:38 pm

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