Joyce Helen Cathcart

Joyce Cathcart passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving children, on February 17^th in Indianapolis.  She will be truly missed by all who knew her warm smile and generous spirit.

Joyce was born on June 28^th, 1929, in Waukesha, Wi., to Clara and William Elger.  She and her brother Alan and sister Ruth spent many a day helping their parents in the Elger Market and Butcher Shop.  Joyce graduated from Waukesha High School and studied to become an X-Ray technologist, eventually applying her trade at Waukesha Memorial Hospital.  It was evident then, that caring for others was a driving force in her life

Joyce loved swimming, sailing and spending time outdoors in her beautiful home state of Wisconsin.  She was a tremendous athlete who loved tennis and golf.  She was great at anything to which she applied herself.

In 1951, Joyce married the love of her life, Donald Cathcart, and they soon started their family in Brookfield, Wisconsin.  Raising her six children became her life’s passion.  Whether it was shuffling the kids between football, basketball, and volleyball practice, or packing the station wagon for a summer vacation to the lake, Joyce took on the day with unbounded energy and that beautiful smile.  She taught her children to work hard, to care about others, and to be humble and gracious in all that they do.

In 1968, Joyce and Don moved the family to the eastside of Indianapolis, where the Holy Spirit Catholic Church community welcomed them.  Church and family were the two most important things in Joyce’s life.  The church provided Joyce the opportunity to pursue another passion which was music and singing.  She loved to be a part of the church choir, and there were not too many days when the sounds of Pavarotti or Bocelli were not heard emanating from her home.

Later in life, Joyce added travel to her list of passions.  Whether it was sky diving in the Canary Islands or hiking the mountains of New Hampshire and Utah, Joyce loved a new adventure.

Eventually Joyce’s focus turned towards her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Grandma Gigi was a bundle of joy and energy when she was around the children.  She could always bring a smile to the face of the kids, and she filled their minds with many wonderful stories.

Heaven has a new angel, and Joyce is home again with her husband Donald and her son Joseph.

Joyce is survived by her son Chuck and daughter- in -law Della, her daughter Patricia, her son Tom, her son Bob and daughter- in- law Janine, son Bill and daughter- in- law Shelly, and her daughter- in- law Kim.

Joyce is also survived by her many grandchildren; Jenny Bartlam, Beth Matney, Nicholle Duncan, Lisa Mezera, Danielle Schlemmer, Eric Duncan, Jack Cathcart, Ellen Cathcart, Alina Cathcart, Dylan Cathcart, David Cathcart, Ryan Cathcart, Kelly Cathcart, Nick Cathcart, Luke Cathcart, Gabrielle Cathcart, Eli Cathcart, Noah Cathcart, Kali Curry, Taylor Curry, Allison Curry, Zach Yurack, and Jake Yurack.

Joyce is also survived by 13 wonderful great grandchildren.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents William and Clara Elger, her loving husband Donald, her brother Alan and her sister Ruth, her beloved son Joseph, and her grandchildren Laura Cathcart and Jason Stephens.

Visitation service will be held on Saturday February 26^th from 10:00am -12:00pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7243 East 10^th St., Indianapolis.  A funeral mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church will follow the visitation service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce’s name to the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) of Indianapolis, 580 E. Stevens Street, Indianapolis, IN  46203.  [email protected]