Catherine Mary McCahon

August 9, 1947 - February 27, 2022

Cathy was born to Gus and Mary Frediani in San Francisco, California. Cathy grew up in South San Francisco and graduated from South San Francisco High School in 1965. She attended college at San Francisco State University, graduated with a Bachelors in 1970 and completed her teaching credential. Cathy was living and thriving despite 3 bouts with breast cancer over the course of 29 years. On Sunday February 27th Cathy passed away at home with family by her side. Cathy started her teaching career in the San Francisco Bay Area working as a substitute teacher. When she and her family moved to Cameron Park, CA in 1977 she began volunteering in her oldest son Eric’s class room, and was soon hired for a full- time teaching position. Cathy spent the majority of her career teaching for Buckeye Union School District for over 33 years. She taught everything from kindergarten to sixth grade, but kindergarten and first grade were the grade levels she loved the most. After retiring in 2011, Cathy returned to substitute teach for Buckeye Union until the birth of her grandson Nico in 2015. Cathy recalled since childhood wanting to be a teacher, and she was to so many, not only in the professional realm, but also in the personal. With her big welcoming heart, she taught her family, as well as her students, the value of compassion for all people. She simply loved engaging with people, evident early on by her “Personality Plus” title bestowed upon her in high school. She was a dedicated teacher who truly loved the art of being an educator and the science of education. Her love of teaching was evident in her notable accomplishments throughout her career, such as having been a K-3 Trainer, teaching reading instruction to other teachers in El Dorado County from 1996 to 1998, and she awarded membership into The Early Childhood Hall of Fame by the Western Slope Association for the Education of Young Children in 1993. Cathy married Dave McCahon on September 2, 1967 and they had three children Eric, Kristi, and Scott. Cathy and Dave enjoyed time with family, from water skiing summers at Folsom Lake, attending their kid’s school and sporting events, to Cathy’s favorite, a trip to Hawaii. Cathy was a “doer” and always had a project she was working on for either family, a friend, or for school. After retirement, Cathy and Dave enjoyed traveling with their travel trailer to some adventurous destinations, but their favorite one was Sea Cliff in Aptos, camping right on the beach. Cathy loved being by the water, especially a warm beach. Her love for living life, despite cancer, gave her heroic will power and a determination to make one more trip to Maui with Dave. Cathy never let the cancer take away her heroic determination or her strong will. These were remarkably evident in her making that last trip to Maui this past October. Where she was able to enjoy snorkeling and even parasailing over Maui’s waters; once again she beat the odds and persevered. Cathy is survived by her husband Dave, their children Eric and wife Melody, Kristi, Scott and wife Stefanie. Grandchildren Angelina and Nico. And, with great anticipation, a great granddaughter on the way, Mya Nora. A memorial service is being held at Green Valley Mortuary and Cemetery on Saturday, March 5, at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Snow Line Hospice, 6520 Pleasant Valley Road, Diamond Springs CA 95619 Phone: (530)-621-7820 or (916)-817-2338. https://snowlinehospice.org/help/donate