Catherine Susanne Parker's Obituary
On Wednesday, January 24, at 4:15 pm CST, the long and productive life of Catherine Susanne Parker came to a quiet and peaceful end at Baylor Hospital in Irving, Texas. Catherine, affectionately known by all as "Cappy," had been in failing health for some time, suffering from the condition Myelodysplastic Syndrome ("MDS"), a leukemia-like disorder.
Cappy was born to George Leonard and Hazel Remmer Parker on November 4,1934 in Norwood, Massachusetts. She and her older sister Patricia "Joy" Parker Sweet, who preceded Cappy in death in 1970, were raised in the Boston suburb of Norfolk, leading to a lifetime love of the Boston Red Sox and, later, the New England Patriots. She graduated from Bates College in Bowdoin, Maine in 1956 with a degree in sociology and a minor in psychology. She would always love the East Coast, the ocean and the Cape, but in 1959 her spirit of adventure led her to go West to the University of Denver, where she graduated with an MSW in Psychiatric Social Work in 1961. She maintained close ties with friends in New England to this day. In time, she transferred her allegiance to the Denver Broncos and became an avid John Elway fan.
Cappy practiced in Denver for nearly 60 years as a psychiatric social worker until she retired at age 70. A milestone in her career was being in on the beginning of pioneering Fort Logan Mental Health Center in 1961. She left in 1972 when she turned to outpatient practice. With colleagues she helped found a private mental health clinic where she was Director of Adult Services and Alcoholism Services. She was also an Instructor in Psychology at the University of Denver from 1972-1974. In 1974 she opened her own private practice as a therapist which she continued until retirement at age 70.
In 1978, Cappy met Manon Brenner, who became the love of her life. Cappy and Manon shared their lives -- dogs. traveling, theatre, opera, skiing, tennis, gardening and their home and neighborhood in Littleton, Colorado -- for 44 years. They showered their love on a succession of cherished furry creatures: Border Collie Jenny, Amy the tabby cat and Sheltie Buddy; then Orso the St.Bernard/Border Collie mix, Annie the terrier, and finally Ginger, the Irish terrier who survives Cappy.
In 2018, Cappy and Manon moved to Coppell, Texas to be near Manon's sister Aileen and high school and high school and college friends of Manon.
In addition to Manon, Cappy is survived by nieces Lucinda Kalnick Loose, Melissa Sweet, and Rachel Kramer, and grandnieces Danielle Boyle and Dana Kalnick. Plans call for the family to return Cappy's ashes back East. They will be scattered in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, a place both Cappy and Manon loved, and within hail of Cappy's early roots.
Cappy is remembered most for her genuine interest in all kinds of people. She loved everyday life and was always up for meeting a new person or having a new experience. She consistently looked for a bright spot in each day, and people in turn recognized her as a bright spot. Cappy was still doing her best to look for something good in each day during her 3 month hospital/rehab ordeal. She was finally on supportive care and was peaceful at the Baylor Oncology unit the afternoon she died. She had recognized loved ones there to say goodbye, and with just the nurse and Manon in the room holding her hand, she just stopped breathing and passed on.
Please remember Cappy in your thoughts and prayers, and wish Manon well. Donations may be made if you wish to the ASPCA.
Funeral arrangements for Catherine Susanne Parker have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home - 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75243
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