Catherine Chance

Catherine Chance "Cathy" Mulhollan


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Oct 12th, 2018

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  • Death Date: Oct 12, 2018

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Biography: Catherine Chance Mulhollan died on Friday, October 12, 2018. She was beloved by those close to her as a devoted mother and grandmother, a generous teacher, and a deeply loyal friend. Catherine, who went by Cathy, was born in Little Rock on April 8, 1942, to Jack and Helen Chance, originally from Wells Bayou, AR and Dumas AR, respectively. She grew up in Little Rock?s Stifft Station neighborhood, in a small house on Markham St. when Markham was a two-lane road. She graduated from Hall High School in 1960 but spent her sophomore year at Jacksonville High School because Little Rock schools were closed the year following the Central High integration crisis of 1957. She was a cheerleader, an honor student, and (to the chagrin of her parents? generation) a big fan of the young superstar Elvis Presley. Cathy attended the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority, and an English major. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1964. At the University she met her husband, Jim Mulhollan of Fort Smith. The two moved to Memphis, TN, where he completed his training to become an orthopedic surgeon and she worked as a high school history teacher to support the household. It was in Memphis that she had her first child Jimmy in 1968 and her second, Grace Ann, in 1969. The Vietnam War took the family to North Carolina where her husband was drafted to Camp Lejeune. By 1973 the family had returned to Little Rock, where Cathy would live for the rest of her life. In 1973 her third child Jack was born in Little Rock. The 70?s and 80?s were Cathy?s supermom period. Always on the go, in a giant Chrysler station wagon with faux wood paneling on the sides, she was a perennial homeroom mother, den mother and brownie mother, always for at least two (and sometimes three) kids at the same time. More importantly, she was a wonderful one-on-one mom, ready to drop everything and talk into the wee hours with a child who couldn?t fall asleep due to fears about the nature of the universe or a broken heart from a breakup. During these decades she was active in the 20th Century Club, and in Second Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon and producer of the annual youth musical for many years. In the early 90?s she found herself single and her kids had left the nest, so she began her next chapter. She earned a certificate in ESL and began teaching English language to foreign students at UALR. Most of her students were from Arab-speaking countries or Latin America. She discovered she was energized by teaching, and by her international friendships. She traveled to Costa Rica, Mexico, and Ecuador to study Spanish and to teach English, sometimes traveling alone for up to 6 months at a time. Back in Little Rock, she taught adult literacy as a volunteer through Literacy Action of Central Arkansas. She padded her empty nest by hosting a high school exchange student from Mexico City who became a lifelong friend. Cathy?s final chapter was a long and happy one. It began in the 2000?s, and it was a more private time in her life. She left the big house in which she had raised her family and built for herself a beautiful, small, secluded home in the woods nearby. She began to concentrate on being a grandmother and lived quietly for 17 years with her beloved dog Cricket, a scruffy mutt she adopted as a puppy. She was an avid reader, consuming 3 or more novels per week, and she completed the New York Times crossword puzzle every day. She was famous for the heartfelt, challenging, witty, passionate (and always grammatically correct) emails she sent to close friends. She traveled frequently to be with her grandkids in Las Vegas and Memphis, and her Little Rock grandsons James and Charlie Mulhollan slept over every Saturday night. She was generally successful at getting most-if-not-all of her far-flung children and grandchildren together under the same roof for at least a few nights at Christmas time. Cathy is survived by her sister Bobbi Jordan of Little Rock and by her adult children Jimmy Mulhollan of Brooklyn, NY, Grace Ann Gore of Memphis, TN and Jack Mulhollan of Little Rock, AR. Her grandchildren are: Naomi Mulhollan of Brooklyn; Max and Magdalena Gore of Memphis; Spencer, Alex, and Katherine Gore of Las Vegas, NV; and James and Charlie Mulhollan of Little Rock. A visitation for Cathy will be held Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St, 72205 from 10 am to 11 am, followed by a private ceremony for family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Cathy?s name to CARE for Animals.

Condolences(21)
DW
#21
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
So sorry for your loss may you find peace and comfort in the words spoken at 2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4" Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God
DW
#20
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
So sorry for your loss may you find peace and comfort in the words spoken at 2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4" Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God
John Carland
#19
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I just learned of Cathy?s death. Maria and I send our deepest condolences to her family and many friends.

Cathy and I met in the 7th grade at Pulaski Heights Junior High School. The year was 1954. We created a special bond in Mrs. Schuck?s math class and did so in an unusual, unlikely way that I believe is worth sharing.

Cathy sat behind me so when in-class work was graded I would pass my work to her as I received the work of the person in front of me. On a day in early May 1955 I was seized by the coming together of certain calendar numbers. That is, 5 May could be expressed as 5-5-55! Although later a world class procrastinator, in this instance I let not a second elapse between idea and implementation. In short, I immediately and enthusiastically covered my paper?s blank spaces with iteration after iteration of, you guessed it, 5-5-55, and then passed the paper to Cathy. She wasn?t happy with me and reported my miscreant action to our teacher. Mrs. Schuck in turn imposed some mild punishment and that was that.

But it wasn?t. This situational numerology deeply impressed both of us and for the next several decades we would contact one another when such dates lined up to remember and commemorate that day in May. To be sure, we corresponded on many other occasions to share family information and memories but the numbers always remained a lodestone of our connection. For example, on 7 July 1977 Cathy wrote; ?I couldn?t let 7-7-77 go by without a note to say hello to you.? Fast-forwarding to 2010 she observed on 10 October that: ?The date did not escape my notice.? And in 2011, on 11 November, she emailed that: ?I couldn?t let this date pass without acknowledging our life-long friendship.?

In that 2011 email she also mentioned her affection for Chi Omega to which I can readily attest. In a 10 September 1961 letter she wrote: ?Well, after the most nerve-wracking week of my life, I am finally settled and tremendously happy. I?ve wanted to be a Chi Omega all my life, and I can?t believe I?m really here.? But she was and happily so.

For all the reasons mentioned in the beautifully written obituary, Cathy will be deeply missed by many, and I very much include myself in that group.

John M. Carland
Annandale, VA
JOE COLCLASURE
#18
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Jack and family,

Cathy and I enjoyed some good times during our Spanish study sojourn. She was a lovely lady and we shared a lot of good times.
I know how proud she was of all her family.
We will all miss her.
Warm Regards,
Joe Colclasure
Jim and Mary Sharp Rayner
#17
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Jimmy, Grace Ann and Jack

Your folks meant so much to us those years in Memphis and beyond. I loved the ?obit? ( well done, Jimmy). Your mother was definitely a Renaissance Women whose accomplishments put many of us to shame. Her greatest, however, in her mind, were the three of you.
Whitney Rayner
#16
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Jimmy, Grace Ann, and Jack,
I was so saddened to hear about your mom. Though it has been many years since I have seen y?all, the memories of the good times we had will always be cherished. She was a wonderful lady and I know she will be deeply missed. Love and prayers to you all.
Cameron Albert
#15
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
To Charlie. I am sorry to hear that your grandmother died. Me and my family are thinking about you. I hope you fell better soon. From Cameron
Terry Barket
#14
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My deep sympathy to Cathy's children and grandchildren. We became friends while we both served in the Twentieth Century Club. We had such fun dancing in the floor shows in support of Hope Lodge.

Sending warm hugs to all.

Terry Barket
Vicky Kindsfater
#13
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Jimmy, Grace Ann, and Jack~

I?m not sure if you remember me but I am Priss (Bell) Maddux?s exDIL. I just wanted to say how sad my family and I were to hear of your mom?s passing. Cathy was one of Priss? friends who helped throw my and Jae?s wedding reception and she remained so kind to me and my family after our divorce. The last time we saw your mom, it was at Priss? sister?s memorial. It was the first time she had met my son with my second husband, Eric. She was so engaging with our son, Farrell, who has Asperger?s and so good to him. They connected instantly. Eric and I never forgot her kindness toward him. She even sent Farrell a book about napkin folding after he mentioned the napkins at the dinner the night before the memorial service. He sent her a thank you note which Priss said Cathy would often bring up when they were together and she would asked after Farrell and our family. Your mom was a one of a kind women and it was our blessing to know her. Praying for peace and comfort for you all during this time.
Donna Chance Hall
#12
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Bobbi, Jimmy, Grace Ann and Jack,
My heart is completely broken over the loss of Cathy. I know you all must be devastated and you have my deepest sympathy. I have nothing but great memories from my childhood of Cathy and it was such a treat for me that she was able to attend my wedding a few years ago. I will always be grateful that I got to see her then since I had not seen her in a long time. Please know that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers as I know how much you will all miss her. She touched so many hearts and lives including mine and I know she is rejoicing with her mom and dad in heaven. Sending all of you lots of love and prayers. All my love, Donna
Teresa & Michael LeCrone
#11
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I was fortunate to have met her a few times over the years and she was always a joy to be around. She loved her children and grandchildren more than anything. My heart breaks for all her family and friends during this most difficult time.

Our condolences and love to all.

Peace be with you,
Teresa & Michael
Bridget Warner
#10
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dearest Jack,
You are my favorite nephew-in-law & you & the boys are in my thoughts & prayers at this sad time. Your Dear Mom was a darling teenager who I well remember & she grew to be a charming woman of substance. I wish healing for you & your brother & sister wrapped in the precious memories of your Very Special Mom. Love, Bridget
Holley Stacy
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Thinking about you all and sending love, hugs, and healing thoughts during this very sad time. I had the pleasure of getting to know Cathy during her frequent trips to AZ visiting Grace Ann. I always loved spending time with her and looked forward to her visits. She was one in a million and I am so very thankful to have known her.
Rosalinda MunguĂ­a
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
She was a lovely and fine person... I will allways be grateful for having may son in her house as a high school exchange student.

Siempre te recordar? con mucho cari?o y como una persona infinitamente humana y cari?osa y de un gran coraz?n.`~
Aldo Hernandez
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I was so lucky to know Cathy, wonderful person, I will always miss having long chats with her.

Siempre te recordar? Cathy, en mi pensamiento gracias por todo Mama
Nikki Halle
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Cathy raised some amazing children and she will always
have a place in my heart.

We are deeply saddened by your family?s sudden loss.

Our condolences and love to all,

Nikki & Bruce
Helen Goff
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
So sad to hear this news. My thoughts, prayers and love to all of you. Helen
Stan Roberts
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Jimmy, Grace Ann and Jack, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I have fond memories of the "supermom years;" Foxcroft, carpool, and those darned green Christmas tree cookies. I am sorry I will be out of town on Saturday, but wanted you to know we are thinking about all of you. Take care.
Mary Sue Jacobs
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My heart goes out to all of Cathy's family. Call me if there is anything I can do.....663-2683
Dr. H. F. "Bunny"," Brown, III
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Family Members of Cathy,
I was one of Cathy's classmates from elementary school through high school. I considered Cathy a good friend for as long as I can remember. Her mom and dad were also delightful. I would run into Cathy at the grocery store often and we would catch up on family, travel and other friends. She will be sorely missed by all. May she rest in peace. I will keep her and you in my prayers.
My deepest sympathy,
Dr. Bunny Brown
Micah hulett
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
She raise one great son ,Jimmy. My heart gos out to her and her family.. I hope she knows her son will never be alone....... he has his family,The class of 1986. World lost one more great person, heaven gained an angel!

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