Catherine Diana Avila

Catherine Diana Avila, 79, of Indianapolis, passed away on Dec. 6, 2025, at St. Vincent Hospital, complex where she was born. She was a red head baby, born on Jan. 28, 1946, first year of the Baby Boomers.

Her father, Charles Lamb, was an air force gunner in WWII. Her mother, Katherine Lucile Lamb Stockton, was a gifted lady of published religious poems.

Catherine married Julio Avila in Lima Peru, 1968. They had no children; however, they adopted Armando Avila, nephew-an accomplished dentist-and sponsored Diana Teverbaugh, niece- a dentist of merit- They sponsored Sarah Quakenbush, niece, who went to high school for three years in Fallbrook, Ca. before joining the navy.

Catherine was the oldest of her siblings: Victoria Jane Quakenbush, Andrea, Eric Lamb, and Lisa McGary. On her family side: nephews Josh, Benny, John, and niece Sarah with dad Jim completed the clan. On her husband’s side, Rosa, Amelia, Victor and Nila. Nephew Diego and niece Valentina in Argentina, niece Naomi in Peru were very close to her.

In Indy, Catherine always had the support of niece Diana Teverbaugh’s husband, Scott, children Noha, Isabella, Lucas, Dad Larry, Mom Anna, sister Ashley, mother-in-law Nila. Armando’s family: wife Natalya and daughter Gabriela were at hand; so were the Quakenbush clan.

Catherine went by her middle name: Diana. She went to Howe High, then to Buttler University on a full scholarship majoring in Spanish (B.A.M.S). Diana also delved in French and Italian. In California, she had a certification in English as a Second Language serving the immigrant community. Catherine was a born teacher. She relates that when in elementary, she corralled kids in the neighborhood to teach them in her backyard classroom. She taught Spanish/English from kindergarten to college. In Indianapolis, she taught at Roncalli High; same, earlier, in Peru and later in Ca. At Roncalli High, she took advanced students of Spanish to language immersion in Mexico City and Acapulco for several years.

She was a giver, doer, and adventurous angel, also nicknamed “red snapper”, proud of her Irish heritage. In high school. she would sponsor children in Mexico and Colombia. Later on, she would give to people, animal, and nature causes. As a student, she would work at a store (Charlie Big Horn). As an adult, there were always part time jobs after teaching (Midwest work ethic). Her fascination for other places, took her to join the Peace Corps in a time of turmoil of the 60’s when boys went to Vietnam. Still in college, she went to training at the universities of Stanford and Berkeley in CA. While there, she witnessed the hippie movement, Chavez’s Farm Workers movement. Fresh from College, at 20, Catherine headed to Peru -Peace Corps, USAID. -as a volunteer. Three years later, came back to Indy…with a husband. The crisis of mid 70’s spurred the idea of heading West again. 42 years in the Golden State were spent in teaching, delving in real estate (got a real estate license), growing avocados, and exploring Mexico’s Baja…until dementia struck. Regrettably, in 2022 she left the Golden State and returned to Hoosier land, where family was. After three years, the malignancy got worse until a fall sealed the end of a beautiful life. Her grandmother had same, so did her mother, who Diana took care of for almost 10 years. As her mother said in a poem, Catherine radiated love and “absorbed love like a sponge absorbs water.” All in all, she gave unconditional love, and she was loved in return. May God have her in the Palms of His Hand.

Memorial contributions: to any worthy cause.