Age 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Claymont, Delaware, on July 17, 2026, following a brief illness

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, on February 28, 1944, Effa "Cathy" was the 10th of 12 children born to the late Aaron F. and Mary Madeline (Payne) Palmatary. She grew up on the scenic estate farm her father managed in Fairville, Pennsylvania, creating lifelong memories. She was a member of Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, attended Chadds Ford Elementary and graduated from Unionville High School in 1962. Seeking a career in business support, she went on to complete a two-year course at Goldey-Beacom College. Cathy built a diverse and dedicated career as a clerical worker, legal secretary, and office administrator. She worked in the Medical Records Department at Memorial Hospital, the Pre-Sentence Office at the Wilmington Courthouse, followed by the Department of Justice. Cathy later excelled as a legal secretary for the Wilmington law firm of Heckler and Cattie, and she also liked working part-time at Kohl's department store.

Cathy loved life's simple and nostalgic pleasures. She was a fantastic jitterbug dancer, played the accordion, and excelled in team bowling. She loved travel and attending local car shows, particularly the annual Hagley Car Show. At home, she enjoyed listening to music and watching television, and testing her wits with game shows and crossword puzzles. She took pride in her home, loved flowers, and connections with her neighbors. Above all, she had a deep affection for cats, caring for more beloved kitties than can be counted over the years.

Cathy was preceded in death by her first husband, Ernest Beazley, her second husband, John J. "Jack" Parkinson, whom she happily married on March 9, 1991, her parents, and six siblings. She is survived by her sisters, Dorris Munro (John) of Wilmington, DE, Elaine Smith of Florida, Sara Pennington (Vance, Sr.) of Newark, DE, Gladys Taylor (Bayard) of Cambridge, MD, and JoAnn Borror of Cochranville, PA; her brother, Harvey Palmatary (Bonnie) of Lock Haven, PA; numerous nieces and nephews; and her cherished cats, Lucy and Rusty.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, September 3 at the Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery (New Castle County): 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Forgotten Cats, Inc., Suite 422, 4023 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE 19807, or a cat rescue of your choice, honoring Cathy’s lifelong love for her feline companions.