Cathy Ferriss' Obituary
Cathy Ferriss November 19th, 1951 – August 1st, 2022
First born, Fierce and First in Line. Cathy got all of us to “do things” good and bad! She was the cruise director, the unorganized organizer, the party planner and the flower arranger. Brilliant, she was the one with the vision, which sometimes turned out and sometimes not. Born in Connecticut, to an engineer Dad and an Artist Mom, she was raised in Florida from age 5. Played French horn at Satellite High School, went to U of F and USF, then played the tambourine in the Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Band in St Pete. A true sun bleached Florida Girl; she loved the water and the boys. She was a lifeguard at Long Point near Sebastian Inlet during summers in high school, got her scuba license and later raced sailboats in the J class or on any boat that needed a crew. From Clearwater, to Davis Island, she talked her way on to crew or even on to judges boats, even went all the way to San Francisco to see the America’s Cup Race. Cathy worked for the Clearwater YMCA and began a lifelong career of teaching children to swim, privately or at the Y. A friend of Bill W. and Dr. Bob over 28years, Cathy loved all beauty, the sea, art, nature, and music. Towards the end of her battle with Alzheimer’s, she would look outside and say, “Blue skies and puffy white clouds.” Sail on my sister, my friend. You are in God’s arms now.
Cathy leaves behind her sisters, Pam Traas, (Donald) and Julie Hill (Chris); Her nieces Natasha Hubbard and Mary Ryczek; nephews Rusty Rich and Daniel Ryczek; cousin Billy Seitl and many, many friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Cathy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cathy?
Share a story where Cathy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cathy you’ll never forget.
How did Cathy make you smile?