Cathy Allen Parker passed away peacefully on July 30, 2024, in Laurel surrounded by her family. Cathy leaves behind her loving husband of 56 years, Richard. Cathy and Richard had a relationship that can only be described as true love. Their love grew to include five children, followed by eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. From the start of their family on West Street, to the family farm in Portsville, to their home on Central Avenue, to their home on the water in Old Church Landing, all were homes filled with love and laughs. To see Cathy and Richard together was to see how love can survive anything. Cathy and Richard together will be remembered as being in the presence of soulmates.
Cathy is survived by her brother Dean Allen, his wife, Trisha of Fort Myers, Fla.; sons Matt, his wife, Ashlee and their sons Brett and Will; Ben, his former wife, Sharon and their kids Derrik and Madison and great-granddaughter Genevieve; Tommy, his wife, Jennifer and their sons Cole and Kyle; and daughters Beth, her husband, Tom Bloom and their sons Sam and Max; and Kitt, her husband, Bruce Campbell. She will be missed by her beloved boxer, Bubba.
Cathy was born in Milford in 1949 to Jim and Ruth Allen. She graduated from Laurel High School in 1967. Cathy attended Madison College followed by Delaware Technical & Community College. Cathy found her calling when she became a nurse, spending most of her career at Nanticoke’s LifeCare at Lofland Park. Cathy was loved by her coworkers and patients. Her kind and loving spirit was a blessing to all she encountered.
Cathy’s life can be encapsulated by saying “she loved Laurel.” Born and raised in Laurel, Cathy loved the town. She always said, “There wasn’t a cat and dog fight in Laurel she wasn’t in.” She was a member of the Laurel Alumni Association, Laurel Historical Society, Laurel Lioness Club/Laurel Civic Club, American Legion Post 19 Ladies Auxiliary, a former Laurel School Board member, and a participant in any parade that came through the town. Cathy’s love for Laurel was celebrated in 2017 when she was named Laurel’s Citizen of the Year. She was affectionately referred to by many as “Miss Laurel.”
Before Cathy was known as “Miss Laurel,” she was known throughout the Eastern Shore as Miss 16. Cathy won the WBOC pageant in 1965 and spent a year throughout the region, proudly wearing the crown and representing the title with the same grace and honor she carried her whole life. Even 59 years after she was crowned Miss 16, Cathy would still be recognized by those who remember the pageant and especially remembered her. Cathy was also fondly remembered for her column “Life Goes On” for the Leader and State Register newspapers. She wrote many columns people would stop and mention to her, especially her column on nicknames. She had a wonderful way with words and a remarkable way of writing about Laurel. Her love of the town was reflected in her columns.
Cathy, with Richard by her side, loved to travel. Cathy’s travels took her around the world and even to the summit of Mt. Fuji in Japan to watch the sun rise next to her daughters. But her number of world travels didn’t compare to the travels she and Richard took up and down the East Coast to watch their grandson, Derrik, play baseball. Cathy loved baseball. Whether it was traveling to watch the Giants in San Francisco, the Nationals clinch the championship series, the Mets eliminate the Dodgers in Los Angeles, or the Orioles with her sons, she was always the first to say yes to attending a game. When Cathy wasn’t busy with one of her organizations, she could be found at her Wednesday Bridge Club or at Let’s Do Trivia at Abbott’s on Broad Creek. Team Jimmy Legs consisted of her husband, children and a rotation of invited team members. Cathy could be overheard before all games saying, “We didn’t come here to lose.”
Cathy maintained a busy civic and social calendar but that didn’t stop her from getting her hair done twice a week for close to 40 years by Ginny Little. Cathy started as one of Ginny’s first clients and that relationship blossomed into a close friendship.
Growing up in Laurel, Cathy was fortunate enough in kindergarten to find her best friend, Sue, and the two were inseparable ever since. The duo would soon turn into a trio when Nancy moved to Laurel. As they grew up, their circle of friends would grow to include Jannie, Lynn, Mary, Shelia, Lois and many more.
Cathy loved the beach, specifically Fenwick Island. The Parker family spent their summers in Fenwick and knew every inch of the coastline, but most of the time was spent at one cottage, the Sirman family cottage. Cathy said for many years she was going to write a book about the cottage and the “little blond-haired girl” that frequented. In August 2023 that dream came true with the publication of her book, “Sirman: A Girl and Her House.”
Cathy accomplished much in her life, but she said her greatest honor was being a mom. Cathy was born to be a mom and was one of the greatest to hold the title of mom, mother-in-law, grandma, and great grandma. The loss of Cathy will forever be felt but her spirit and influence will always be seen in each of her kids and continue to shape her grandkids. The family will follow Cathy’s advice and always remember to “pay attention.”
The family would like to thank VITAS Healthcare for their guidance and compassion for Cathy. The family would also like to thank Leanne Thomas for her support, help and kindness over the last few months.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church, 200 West Market Street, Laurel, Delaware 19956. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Reverend Dean Perdue will officiate. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Laurel. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.