Mary Ellen Cath, of Bohannon, Va., born Sept. 30, 1927 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, passed away on Sept. 7, 2012.

Mary Ellen was educated at Kennedy Collegiate Institute, Windsor, and started her career as a legal secretary and then secretary to the athletic director, Michigan State University. After raising her three sons, she resumed her career as secretary and administrative assistant at Ecol-Sciences and Electronic Warfare Associates in Northern Virginia. She retired in 1998.

Having moved to Mathews County, she immersed herself in numerous organizations such as Mathews Maritime Foundation, Mathews Historical Society, West Mathews Community League, and Brent and Becky’s Horticulture Group. She was also a member of the Red Hats, the prayer shawl knitters and bell ringers of the First Presbyterian Church in Gloucester. Her infectious smile and gracious manner endeared her to all who came in contact with her.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Fred and Dorothy Handysides, and a brother, Robert.

She is survived by her husband of 61½ years, William Stanwood Cath; sons, Jeffrey, Ian and wife Peggy, Kenton and wife Samantha; grandchildren, Sara and husband Sofie, Jenna and husband Brandon, Nicholas, Cameron and wife Mary, Jarrod, Scott and cherished great-grandchildren, Sonya and Jackson.

The family will have a visitation and receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, 160 Main Street, Mathews, Va. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the First Presbyterian Church, 6470 Main Street, Gloucester, Va.