January 3, 1933 - November 20, 2023
Catherine Jean Fidel of Rancho Cordova passed away peacefully November 20, 2023 with her family at her side.
She was born to Eusebio Tacal from Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur , Philippines and Maude Gibson of Austin, Texas on January 3, 1933 in Portland, Oregon. She attended primary school in Portland and Coos Bay, Oregon.
The family relocated to Stockton, California where she met her husband Pascual Fidel in 1947 at the age of 15. They were high school sweethearts, and both graduated from Edison High School in Stockton, California. Cathy and Pas married in 1952 during Pascual’s junior year at U.C Berkeley. They remained together for 71 years.
Sadly, Pascual met Cathy in heaven one month after her passing. She is survived by her five children Victoria, Duane (Donna), Philip (Rick Stone), Eric (Sherri) and Connie (Mark Schlitt); Grandchildren Erik (Rachel Smith), Courtney, and Elias; their great grandchild Theo; her brother David Tacal and nieces Lisa Antuna, Jeannine Garcia and Kathi Poggi. Cathy was predeceased by her sister Anita Orello, her niece Jennifer Valdivia, and nephew Anthony Revillar.
Cathy started working at Cordova High School in 1962 as the administrative assistant to the principal. She used to joke that she trained five or six principals before retiring in 1995.
Even though she worked full time, she was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother supporting her children’s events attending numerous wrestling matches and tournaments, band concerts, volleyball, basketball, and softball games; Filipino martial arts tournaments, baseball games, track meets, marching band competitions, dance competitions, and Fab4 music concerts. She had a full calendar and was the family’s #1 supporter.
Cathy was an impeccable planner and organizer. She would have lists of her lists. She planned family trips to Tahoe, Santa Cruz, Aptos, Hawaii, and Puerto Vallarta. She loved being together with her family. She was the consummate matriarch, and always knew what was happening with each of the family members.
Cathy was also involved with the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), the Saint John Vianney Mr. and Mrs. Club, and enjoyed water aerobics with her friends.
One of Catherine’s dreams come true was to see all her children graduate from college. Throughout their developing years, she emphasized their continued education. In that spirit of supporting education, Cathy and Pas together with their children established the “Catherine J. Fidel Scholarship award” upon her retirement in 1995. It is annually awarded to an outstanding and promising graduating senior at Cordova High School. Since the scholarship’s inception, the family has funded more than $28,000.00 in scholarships.
Many say Catherine was always the sweetest person in the room and her gentle soul infiltrated all who came in contact with her. Since she spent so much time on the computer and typewriter, she definitely typed her love forever on our hearts. She will be dearly missed.
Funeral Services:
Saturday January 20, 2024 11:00 am
Saint John Vianney Parish
10497 Coloma Rd.
Rancho Cordova, Ca. 95670
~ In lieu of flowers, Catherine J. Fidel Scholarship donations accepted and made to :
Duane Fidel
100 Allerton Ct.
Folsom, CA. 95630
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Fidel family.
