Catherine C. Fischer

The TL;DR — Single mom at 19 makes good! Catherine devoted her life to education (Graduated from University of Delaware on time and earned a Masters Degree to boot), helping others, being an awesome teacher/mentor/friend/daughter/sister/mother, and being a pop culture/movie/music savant. Catherine always gave more than she expected to receive and loved her gregarious yet frustrating son (who actually turned out somewhat ok and successful) unconditionally and she was always in his corner no matter how many pain-inducing things he did. Catherine was loved, respected, and cherished. She will be sorely missed every day by all who knew her… THE FULL HONOR Catherine (Cawley) Fischer passed away peacefully at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE on November 28, 2024 at the age of 73. Catherine was born in Kingston, PA on August 8, 1951 and was the daughter of the late John F. Cawley Sr. and Beverly (Beech) Cawley. Catherine was a modern success story before her time — Top of her Christiana High School class (1969), single mother at 19, scholarship to University of Delaware culminating in Masters Degree in Communication from UD. She had a passion for learning, loved teaching, and was even accepted to a PhD program at Penn with the aspiration to become a college professor. Given the challenging economic/employment environment of mid-late 1970s, Catherine had to balance her teaching aspirations at the University level (that required a PhD and most likely having to move from her beloved hometown) with being a single mom who needed health benefits to support a young child. Enter the Xerox Corporation (former verb, now a cautionary tale…). Catherine started at the bottom, working part-time in the billing department and did every job she was overqualified for over the next 30+ years at Xerox with grace and a smile - and made numerous lifetime friends in the process. Xerox didn’t stop Catherine from keeping her passion for education & teaching as a “side hustle” (before anyone knew what that term meant). She taught for over 40 years at a variety of institutions including the University of Delaware, Delaware Technical & Community College, St. Marks High School (as a Grad Assistant with the now Dr. Jill Biden no less), Middletown Jr. High, and both Huntington & Sylvan Learning Centers. She touched hundreds of lives and made the world a little smarter in the process (you were in big trouble if proper grammar wasn’t used in her presence!). As single moms were prone to do — she also had additional jobs to make extra money over the years from working at a Hallmark store to being an on-air local radio host at WILM in Delaware. Catherine was an intellectual back when it was cool & acceptable to be one - and all the way up to her last days. She was a voracious reader of just about everything from The NY Times, The Atlantic, and Paris Review to the more recent Substack/subscription-oriented publications such as Aunt Lute Books & Narrative Magazine…all the while not being above reading (and commenting on) the random sports blog link from twitter. She loved Newark, DE - The Newark Main Street of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, The Cinema Center (Now Main Street Movies 5), and commenting on the Memories of Newark Facebook page. She cherished living in a college town where small businesses, educational pursuits, and the arts were at the forefront. Catherine was as learned as one can possibly be on movies, pop culture, and music - but movies were probably her favorite thing to do. From mainstream blockbusters to the arthouse fare, Catherine just about saw them all. She could name the IMDB history of most actors (however famous or obscure) and at the same time tell you the designer they wore on the red carpet. I’ve never seen her sadder than when Premiere Magazine ceased publication. A generous (almost shameless?) giver/gifter/charitable human, Catherine never met a Hallmark Card she didn’t like and never met a holiday she wouldn’t send one (Some say Arbor Day is overdoing it, but to each their own). She often said one of her favorite things was simply “keeping up with my friends” (which explains all those Hallmark cards). She kept most of the cards she received from others as well saying that she would frequently revisit them since they made her smile on the tough days. Catherine was a 1 of 1 and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Catherine is survived by her son, Daniel Patrick Fischer and his wife Nikki Chen; her brother John F. Cawley Jr., his wife Patricia, their daughters Samantha & Nicole and 3 grandchildren; her brother William Cawley, his wife Claudia, and their daughter Alice Cawley — as well as numerous cousins she took joy in keeping close contact with. Catherine’s charitable causes reflected the important things in her life — music, movies, pop culture, the arts, and empowering women. At last count she was donating monthly to 8 charities and spot donated frequently to many more (she was even donating monthly to Girls Who Code on 2 separate credit cards). So in lieu of flowers or gifts, Catherine’s family suggests a donation in her name to one of her favorite charities: The Newark Arts Alliance, Girls Who Code, WXPN Radio, and The Delaware Art Museum. Services and burial for Catherine will be private. To send an online condolence please visit www.stranofeeley.com Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home 302-731-5459

Catherine C. Fischer

August 8, 1951 - November 28, 2024

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