Catherine C. Rand

Catherine Lucey Chisholm Rand passed away peacefully on January 8th 2024 in Tallahassee Florida. Born in Everett, Massachusetts on May 16,1931 to Irish immigrants, Nora (McNicholas) and Thomas Lucey. Catherine was the beneficiary of their hard work and through her brilliant mind, tenacious spirit she paved the way for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to lead happy and successful lives. She leaves behind her siblings, Ellen Holmes, Rita (Dave) Pulson, Margaret (Fred) Coffey and Thomas Lucey.

Catherine married the love of her life Russell Vincent Chisholm on August 19,1950 at Melrose Country Club in Melrose, MA.

Together they made the big decision to move south to Gainesville Florida in order to continue their college studies. After Catherine started her initial coursework at Harvard University in Boston, she continued her education at the University of Florida graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts in English, then proceeded to earn a Masters in Education, and was accepted to the Doctorate Program in Psychology. She was also initiated into Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

Catherine worked for many years at Shands Teaching Hospital and then at North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville as the Social Services Patient Coordinator. When her husband Russell’s job took them to Tallahassee she continued in that field. They were both active with Springtime Tallahassee and Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Catherine was very involved in Theatre at the Gainesville Little Theatre and at The Tallahassee Playhouse.

Catherine was preceded in death by her loving husband Russell in 1987. Catherine was busy throughout Florida and Georgia running several successful scholarship pageants that awarded thousands in scholarships over her twenty year career. After many years she formed a friendship that turned into love with Herbert Rand. They married and traveled the world sharing adventures together. Sadly, Herb passed away in 2014. Everyone who met Catherine, knew her greatest loves were always “her girls”. Gail (Douglas) Johnson, Noreen (David) Gardner, and Catherine (William) Walker. She adored her Grandchildren and attended their many activities and cheered the loudest at their graduations. Ryan (Kim) Johnson, Guerrin (Brett) Johnson, Lindsey (Adam) Taylor, Grant Johnson, Meredith (Robert) McCoy, Gage Gardner. Her legacy continues on with her great grandchildren. Nora, Fiona and Riordan Taylor, Alex and Isobel Johnson, Buck and Lila Johnson, and Jackson and Graham McCoy.

“Cay’s Girls” would like to thank nurse Vycki Boone at Westminster Oaks and Senior Transitions for her loving devotion and care of their Mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a charitable donation to St Jude’s Hospital.

A celebration of life will take place at a future date.