June 12, 1948 - October 08, 2021
Dearest Community – It is with profound sadness that we announce Cathie Berry passed away peacefully on October 8, 2021, surrounded by her family. She will be a source of heavenly fun for all who await her and a role model of a life well lived for those of us still here on Earth. A true light in the world, Cathie’s kindness, generosity, and sharp intellect made all of us better people.
Born Catherine Cowles on June 12, 1948, to Lois Gray Gotshall Cowles and Irvin Woodruff Cowles in Dayton, Ohio. After her father died in 1952, her mother relocated the family to Miami Oklahoma where Lois and her three girls- Carol, Cathie and Cynthia thrived. While attending Wilson grade school, Catherine (as she was known then) decided that the name “Cathie Lee” fit her better than the more formal version of her given name. As we all know, Cathie was not a formal person. She was generous, giving, and incredibly forthright. She gloried in providing “makeovers” to friends and acquaintances alike. Her sense of style and beauty tips were bountiful! This generosity of spirit would continue the rest of her life.
While Attending Will Rogers Junior High School, Cathie established lifelong friendships with the “Fab Five Girls”. As a student at Miami High School, Cathie served as a class officer, cheerleader, and participated in many clubs and organizations. When she decided to attend the University of Oklahoma, her family was thrilled!
Cathie joined Chi Omega Sorority whose house was adjacent the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity house. Her corny jokes combined with girl-next-door looks and a welcoming easy-going attitude relaxed everyone who met her. As for her Beta Fraternity neighbors, they just called her “Cowles”.
Never one to remain on the sidelines, Cathie was the 1968 Ruffneck Queen who rode the thrilling Sooner Schooner in and out of the stadium after every Sooner touchdown. During a game one Guy L. Berry Jr. of Sapulpa, OK said to Robert Bass Berry, his oldest son, “that girl has pluck” and advised his son “Bob” to do something about it immediately! And he did.
Bob and Cathy married on January 16, 1971, and moved to Fort Belvoir, Virginia for Bob’s Advanced Combat Training as an Engineer and the exciting times of the late 60’s Vietnam Protests. After Bob’s discharge they made their home in Enid.
Once in Enid, Cathie’s sharp wit, vitality, empathy, and self-confidence quickly created a circle of lifelong friends. Her extracurricular activity in school gave way to being an active member of the Enid community. With her O.U. English Literature Degree she was employed by Enid Public Schools teaching homebound students until starting a family of her own. As her kids grew up Cathie was a fixture in their schools and activities as an active parent in the PTA, Cub Scouts, and sports. During this time Cathie also served the YWCA as a volunteer in its Crisis Center, was active in the junior welfare league and P.E.O. She earned a master’s degree in Education from Phillips University. Around this time the Enid community television station PEGASYS was founded. She actively produced many programs including her own talk show “Cathie Berry’s Collage”. Next, she became the Marketing Director for St. Mary’s Hospital. After many years at St. Mary’s, she accumulated numerous awards and accolades.
A terrifically talented writer, she discovered St. Mary’s had a standing newspaper column slot for community messaging. Once, when there wasn’t anything to post from St. Mary’s, she simply wrote her own newspaper column critiquing “hot sauces”. It was so fun she kept at it and the column “Right Bites” gained a loyal following.
Later, she returned to the classroom at Emerson Jr. High teaching Speech and Drama where her outgoing personality would bring out the best in all her students. In her productions, every student who tried out got a “part”. She would often stay up late into the night editing the script to write in the perfect part for every actor.
This penchant for stage performance was not isolated to Junior High School. She was very active in the Gaslight Theater. Summer shows in Government Springs Park were always her favorite. One particularly well-known role was as Vera Carp in the production of “Greater Tuna”. It was such a hit that she often reprised her role in cameo appearances at chamber of commerce events, community meetings and other more formal settings where she would break things up with some much-needed comic relief.
As a skilled cook Cathie was a “Foodie” before that term existed. It was only natural that she took an active role in the founding of the Enid Farmers Market where she made even more dear friends.
Those of you who knew Cathie (And there are a lot of you!) know that her big smile, bright eyes and vivacious personality always made your day brighter. She loved every one of you and always found joy in your love and friendship.
Those lucky enough to be most blessed by Cathie include her husband of 50 years, Bob; son, Matt Berry and wife, Mendi with granddaughters Natalie, Ava and Libby Berry of Louisville, Colorado; son Eli and wife, Marcie with grandson Liam Berry of Enid; and “unofficially adopted” son Jose S. Reyes and wife, Andrea with grandkids Amaya and Marcus of Southern California.
Instrumental in Cathie’s larger than life persona are Sister Carol Cowles and husband Jim Fletcher, Sister Cynthia Love and husband Joe along with sisters and brothers-in-law from Bob’s family side, leaving a very large group of loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made in her name to Brown-Cummings Funeral Home serving as custodians of the funds.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, November 6th at 2:00 PM at the Gaslight Theater in Enid, Oklahoma followed by a reception where we look forward to taking a moment to remember an exceptional mother and a remarkable friend.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.Brown-Cummings.com. As one of Oklahomaʼs oldest single family owned and operated providers of funerals and cremations, Brown-Cummings is the name families have turned to for generations. They fully understand the honor and responsibility entrusted to them to preserve the story of oneʼs life. Visit 400 W. Maple, Enid, OK 73701. Call: (580) 237-5432.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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