Cathy was born in Tucson, Arizona to Charles D. Parks and Anna Arvay on September 23, 1949. When she was five years old, she and her family moved to Texas, eventually settling down in Austin. She graduated from Round Rock High School in 1968 and on August 17th of that same year, married her high school sweetheart, Jim Schutt. After marriage, Jim and Cathy moved to Killeen, Texas to attend Central Texas College and remained there until 1970 when Jim was drafted into the Army. After Jim's tour of duty they returned to Austin. In 1977 they moved their family, then with two additions, to College Station, Texas to allow Jim to attend Texas A&M University. In 2000, Jim and Cathy, with the children grown and out on their own, moved to near North Zulch to a small piece of land where together they built their dream; a small farm.
Cathy was a kind and loving person who placed her family above all other concerns. She will always be remembered for her beautiful, sincere smile. She could sit for hours and listen patiently while her children or grandchildren would relate their day or their hopes or problems. In the later stages of her illness, she stressed her love for her children and grandchildren and admonished everyone to keep the family close always.
In addition to her family, Cathy maintained a career throughout her working life. While in Austin she served as District Clerk for the 126th District Court in Travis County, Texas before moving the family to College Station. She then worked as administrative secretary for the College Station School District before accepting a position with the Fiscal Department at Texas A&M. She later joined in the establishment of the new Study Abroad Program at Texas A&M and retired from there as Deputy Director in 2007.
After her retirement, Cathy pursued her greatest passion outside of family ... animals. Cathy possessed a deep love for animals all her life. She was a long-time member of the Humane Society and supported various efforts to improve the care, rescue and adoption of animals of all kinds. She kept a herd of Dwarf Nigerian goats and was a member of local goats clubs. She showed her goats in area goat shows. Her cats and dogs (all strays that wandered into their property) joined donkeys, goats, ducks, chickens and cattle. In addition, Cathy attained her licensure as a Texas Wildlife Rehabilitator bringing squirrels, rabbits, skunks, possums, raccoons, bobcats, songbirds, and even field mice into the fold of her care. She maintained this hectic and much-loved effort until her health forced her to give up her passion.
Cathy's life was built around her family, James (Jim) her husband of 54 years; her son, Neal and his spouse Janice and her sons, Parker and Adam; her daughter, Wendy and her husband Larry Isham and their children Elizabeth, Catherine, and Collin, all of Bryan/College Station. Also surviving Cathy are her brother, Bill Parks and his spouse Sharon of Friendswood, Texas; and her sister, Judy Garner of Port Lavaca, Texas; along with numerous nephews and nieces.
Cathy and the family want to recognize the superb doctors and staff at the St. Joseph Cancer Center, MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, and Methodist Hospital also in Houston and thank them for their dedicated and compassionate efforts which were of great comfort to Cathy and very much appreciated by the family. We also greatly appreciate the help and compassion of the staff at Allumine Hospice.
A memorial service for Cathy will be held at the Memorial Funeral Chapel College Station on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, Cathy requests that donations be made to Paw and Claws Wildlife Rehab, College Station, Texas https://pawsandclawsrehab.wixsite.com/pawsandclawsrehab/donate
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialfuneralchapel.com for the Schutt family.
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