May 20, 1929 - Dec. 1, 2009

Catherine JoAnn Gorwoda Ptomey, 80, died Dec. 1, 2009, in Lubbock, Texas.

A Memorial Service was held at Resthaven's Abbey Chapel, followed by a graveside service at the Caseyville Cemetery in Caseyville, Ill.

She was born May 20, 1929, in East St. Louis, Ill., and attended school in Collinsville, Ill.. In 1951 she married Donald Eugene Ptomey and lived in several cities before settling in Oklahoma City in 1958.

She completed an Associate Degree in Library Science from Southwestern College in Oklahoma City in 1974. She was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Old St. Joseph's Cathedral in Oklahoma City before moving to Lubbock in 2001.

Her beloved husband of 52 years, her parents, Anton and Mary Strelzek (Gorwoda), and brothers Edward and John, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her son Thomas and his wife, Marcela, of Eagle River; two daughters, Nyla Ptomey and Christine Gresham and her husband, Jon, all of Lubbock; three grandsons, Jason and his wife, Tushina, Michael, and Jacob, a great-granddaughter, Justice, cousins, nieces and nephews and many special friends including her family dogs.

Her family wrote, "She always put others first and had a kind word for everyone."

The family gratefully thanks Dr. Epstein and her staff, the UMC Health System staff, the Interim Hospice Healthcare staff especially Kelly, Lezley, Catherine, Susie, Sharon, and Aids Jamie and Alicia, along with the Home Instead Senior Care staff and a special thank you to her very good friend Helen Thompson.

Memorial gifts may be made to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, 442 South De Mazenod Drive, Belleville, IL 62223-1023; the American Cancer Society, 3411 73rd St., Lubbock, TX 79423, and to the Animal Care Shelter The Haven, Route 7, Box 342 B, Lubbock, TX 79401.