Original Post: My sister has been battling cancer long enough to know a thing or two about helping others who find their lives turned upside down with serious health issues. I created this logo for her consulting business, Together We Heal. If you or someone you know has been affected by metastatic cancer, I encourage you to get in touch with her. You can also have a good read on her blog, Love Rules Cancer Drools.
UPDATE, June 2024:
Unfortunately, Cathy passed away after living with cancer for 15 years.
Catherine Doherty Carmody
October 8, 1968 - June 19, 2024
Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina - Catherine Doherty Carmody went to sing and dance in the streets of Heaven on June 19, 2024. The world first unwrapped the gift of Cathy on October 8, 1968 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The days in between were defined by Cathy's inexhaustible heart and love of her family, her friends, and her children. Through the love she gave, Cathy remains victorious, no matter the sense of loss that accompanies her departure from this Earth.
Cathy excelled academically throughout her young life. Appropriately enough, she grew up on School Street, and later graduated with a Master's in Accounting from the University of North Carolina in 1992. It would be inaccurate, however, to say her learning was confined to the classrooms of Rocky Mount and Chapel Hill. Cathy did not merely thirst for knowledge, she relished the experience of life, traveling often and extensively, from the palaces of Europe to the beaches of the South Pacific. A corollary of Cathy's love of travel was her exquisite taste in music and she often combined the two by venturing far and wide to see and hear the musical artists she loved. No matter the soundtrack, she enjoyed the music best with a view of the sunset, a glass of wine, and the scent of lavender in the air.
In 2009, Cathy was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was at this point that the accountant by trade ventured into another profession - that of a prizefighter. For 15 years, she pounded her opponent, with a smile on her face more often than not. When doctors told her the cancer was metastatic in 2015, she just flashed her proud Irish smirk and beat it back even harder for nearly another decade. By any measure, she was a World Champion.
Without question, Cathy's greatest joy was her children Liam (23), Hannah (20), Leo (18), and Sam (16). In addition to each of these quarter pieces of her heart, she is survived by her mother, Barbara, her sisters, Anna, Mary, and Therese, and her brothers, Danny, Leo, Jr., Vince, and Michael. Her first dancing partner in Heaven is her beloved father, Leo, Sr.
In light of who she was, it would be remiss to not remind everyone of the two simple words that Cathy made her creed: "LOVE WINS." Mindful of this motto, the family asks that you honor Cathy's memory by not hesitating to tell the people in your life that you love them, and then prove it to them as often as you can.
Written by Leo Carmody, Jr.
Published by The News & Observer on Jun. 26, 2024.
A Celebration of Life Dance Party in Cathy's honor will be held at the The Landmark in Garner, NC on Sunday, July 21st, 2024, starting at 5:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to assist Cathy's children at the Remembering Cathy GoFundMe page.
