10/12/2026
My incredibly wonderful mom passed on Saturday afternoon. Luckily I was with her when she went. It was quick and peaceful and she died at home. Catherine Ann Lane (née Mrkvicka) was a firecracker. She was the life of the party. Everyone loved my mom. In high school I could see my friends come up our driveway from my upstairs room. An hour later they’d still be in the kitchen talking to my mom! The second oldest of eight children she was known simply as Sis to everyone in our large extended family. She grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois, a real midwestern girl. She met my dad in Chicago while working as a secretary. She told her roommate that night that she’d met the man she was going to marry and true enough, six months later they tied the knot (in St. Patrick’s Cathedral no less). My father died a few days short of their 60th wedding anniversary, theee years ago. Ever since, my mom has only wanted to go join him. She didn’t have dementia but she would frequently ask, “where is your father?”. I hope they’re together right now. My mom was kind and generous. She liked everyone (as long as they didn’t have big, stick out ears!). Not everyone, as she despised Trump and all his MAGA as****es. I hate that she had to go while he was still in charge. She was a great mom (and grandma….Walt was the apple of her eye). There’s going to be a huge void in my life now. I love you mom and I’m going to miss you so much!