Kathy Catlin Berry

Kathy Catlin Berry passed away peacefully at the age of 92.  Kathy grew up in Welch West Virginia.  Yearning to see beyond the mountains she sought education as a key to the world beyond.  Leading her high school band, she excelled scholastically.  She began flying lessons and continued them while she studied at Marshall University (then, Marshall College).  She obtained a private flying license hoping to follow in Amelia Erhardt’s footsteps.

Her dreams were interrupted when she fell in love with Lt. Frank Catlin and the two were married.  Kathy found new interests in living and traveling the globe as an Air Force wife and mother of four children.  She lived in Bermuda, Guam and Thailand and periodically taught English and History, while completing her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Maryland.   When Lt Col Catlin retired at Eglin AFB, living in Fort Walton Beach was an easy decision.  Kathy became a Guidance Counselor at Bruner Jr. High and later at Choctawhatchee HS. 

She retired after 30+ years in education and became active in P.E.O., a lay reader at St. Judes and an energetic member of the kitchen and flower guild at St. Simons Episcopal Church.  After the death of Frank, and years later, she met and fell in love with Lt. Col (ret) Robert Berry.  The two were married and spent the summers in Laguna Beach California and Canaan Valley, West Virginia.  Both were avid golfers and she was proud of her two holes-in-one.  One, she said bounced off a tree, but the other was a perfect drive into the hole.  She owned them both.  Robert and Kathy enjoyed frequent travels abroad to Israel, Canada, Europe and Central America. 

When Kathy was 82, she traveled with her children and grandchildren to Machu Picchu Peru, a trip her family will always remember. 

Kathy is survived by her children, Scott Catlin (Becky), Candy Broxson (Steve), Judy Bouchard (Steve), Leslie Catlin (Rick), her 7 grandchildren; Stephanie, Shawn, Danielle, Chevenee, Abby, Nick and Jake; her 6 great grandchildren; Ryan, Natalie, Sarah, Wilson, Parker and Ayla.  

Kathy loved the kind staff at Belvedere Commons who cared and loved her with their heart.  The family thanks the doctors and nurses at Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center and especially her P.E.O. sisterhood for their gracious love.

A service to celebrate Kathy’s life will be held at St. Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church, 28 Miracle Strip PKWY SW, Ft Walton Beach Florida on May 12th at 3pm.  A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Simons Episcopal Church or The PEO Sisterhood program for continuing education for woman; Chapter GP, 526 Dolphn Ave. Ft Walton Beach FL 32548.   

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