With deep love and sorrow, we announce the passing of Catherine “Cathy”Gawlik, a beloved daughter, sister, friend, teacher, counselor, devoted “mother” to five wonderful dogs, and wife to David—her great love, her hero, and her guide in living a life marked by grace, generosity, and gratitude.

Cathy departed this life on January 21, 2026. Cathy was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Katherine Margaret and Leonard Patrick Roach. She was the sixth of nine children and spent her formative years growing up in Detroit. After completing eight years in religious life, Cathy moved to Milwaukee to live with her oldest brother and his family. It was there that she made her home and built the life she loved.

In Milwaukee, Cathy met and married David, beginning a fifty-three-year journey together—one rooted in deep companionship, shared faith, and abiding love.  Cathy taught in Milwaukee Public Schools for more than twenty years. She later began a second vocation as a psychotherapist, a role she embraced for over twenty years as well. In both callings, Cathy was a dedicated teacher, listener, and guide—serving her students and clients with wisdom, compassion, and respect.

An avid reader, Cathy was always learning, always exploring, always inspired. She loved historical novels and poetry, especially the works of Mary Oliver and John O’Donohue, whose words mirrored her own attentiveness to beauty, meaning, and the sacred.

Cathy was richly blessed with dear and generous friends, whom she holds close in her heart as she continues her journey—including all, excluding none. She is deeply grateful to Dawn Zak, Jori Azinger, Kate Vandenberg, Traci Schwartz, and Leann Panek for their healing presence, comfort, and loving care during her time with cancer.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Katherine and Leonard, and by her brothers and sisters: Patrick, Mary, Ann, Nora, Ellen, and Leonard, along with many dear friends who now walk with her still.

Cathy often spoke of life as a journey—many paths, all leading back to the one journey Home.  And now, Cathy is Home.  Friend of Bill W and Lois W – Grateful Celebration of Life February 7, 2026, at the Funeral Home, gathering at 9:30 AM  Celebration of Life, 10 30 AM. 

In the spirit of grace and gratitude that Cathy carried throughout her life,contributions to the Sojourner Family Peace Center and Meta House honor her by supporting stability, growth, and new beginnings for others.