Cathy Lubben, 82, of McCook, NE, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2024, at Hillcrest Nursing Home.
Born on September 30, 1941, at St Catherine’s Hospital in McCook, Cathy was the daughter of the late Floyd and Helen Bailey. Cathy grew up in Palisade, NE and graduated from Palisade High School in 1959.
Cathy married her lifelong love, Writer Ray (Raymond Tyler Lubben) in 1960 in Palisade, NE. Together they raised two girls, Sharon and Kathleen. Cathy was a devoted wife and mother and was thankful for every moment of the adventure called life.
She spent her working days as a CPA’s assistant, tax reviewer, bookkeeper and administrative assistant. In her free time, Cathy was an avid reader. She always had a large collection of romance and mystery novels. She used to stock books at Twice Told Tales in Idaho in trade for books of her choice. She also loved gardening (vegetables and flowers alike), playing cards and games with family and friends and watching Nebraska football and volleyball. Go Big Red!
Cathy’s warmth, kindness, quick smile and laughter enriched the lives of many. When life threw challenges her way, she was still a trooper and a positive force in the world. She had a car accident in her 50’s which created a ruptured disc in her back, impacting her for the rest of her life. Through that and other challenges, she kept her warm, positive disposition and always had kind words for friends and strangers. She left a trail of good feelings wherever she went.
Cathy is survived by her children, Sharon Holmes of Palisade, NE and Kathleen Brotherton of Austin, TX; her grandchildren Katrina Giles of Austin TX, Eden Brotherton of Austin, TX, Jennifer Holmes Newton and husband Michael of Buffalo, NY, Peter Holmes of York, NE and Matthew Holmes and Kirstin Anderjaska of Lincoln, NE; and her 2 adored great-grandchildren, Wyatt Giles and Donovan Newton. She is also survived by her brothers Jon (Joyce) Bailey, Phil (Sandy) Bailey, sister-in-law’s Connie Bailey and Jan Bailey Hinrichsen.
Cathy was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Helen Bailey and her brothers Tom and Steve Bailey and husband Writer Ray.
Cremation was chosen. There will be no ceremony. She and Writer Ray will be united at Ft McPherson, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers, Cathy requests that donations be made to the McCook Fire Department’s ambulance squad in her memory, who took great care of her many times.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook, NE.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hillcrest for their compassionate care during Cathy’s final days.
Cathy will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but her lifelong gift of love and kindness will live on in our hearts forever.