Obituary of Catherine Fay Maloney

Maloney, Catherine "Cathy" Fay

Age 81, of Cottage Grove, MN, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2022. Cathy was born premature on a farm in Spring Valley, Minnesota, and continued to be a resilient spirit her entire life. She graduated from Austin High School and Methodist Kahler’s Nursing Program in 1961 in Rochester, MN, and she received her Bachelor’s in Communications and Art in 1974 from Metro State University. Cathy was a nurse for most of her working life and had her own business for several years. She was a part of one of the first groups of Peace Corps, going to Pakistan in 1960s. She was a world traveler and a seeker of adventures. Nothing brought her more joy than to reminisce with Colleen sharing tales of the vast experiences they shared over the years, to cozy up with a great book, or to paint pictures of her loved ones or whatever inspired her.

Catherine is preceded in death by her parents, Owen and Lorraine Maloney; siblings, Russell Maloney, Jan Paal, and Sharon Dieser. She is survived by her daughter, Colleen Maloney (Joe Dunne); siblings Lela Born, Bill Maloney, Thomas Maloney; her nieces, nephews, and their children.

Cathy was very clear that it was her preference to not have a funeral or memorial service. Family and friends will be contacted in the future if a Celebration of Life is planned. If you wish to honor her, go on that adventure, take that trip, see where the wrong turn of your car takes you, embrace the possibilities of a new experience and bring your memories of her with you.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society.