Cathy Bour

All who knew Catherine Bour would agree that she was a true gift to everyone who was within her reach. She was a lover of life who believed that the best was yet to come, facing whatever came her way with a quiet strength and a graceful courage that were truly inspiring. Catherine was genuine in her love and concern for others and firmly believed that all people are worthy of respect, compassion, and empathy. A kind and loving soul, she was a stranger to none, and she was so much more than a “Chatty Cathy” as she had a warm and inviting demeanor that made people feel at ease. Catherine could find the beauty in even the simplest of things, but there was no greater joy than being surrounded by her family that grew to include children and grandchildren. She will never be forgotten.

By 1931 the Great Depression was a grim reality and despite the circumstances around them, a young couple from Covington, Kentucky, was able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their own lives during this very same year as they welcomed a baby girl on June 25th. Catherine was the third of four children born to her parents, Edmund and Joanna (Irvin) Benson, and was joined in her family by her siblings, Eugenia, June, and Edmond. Growing up in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, Catherine and her siblings experienced fun and adventure running barefoot through the Appalachian terrain while dodging snakes and other foes. Cathy also experienced the other end of the spectrum meeting famous people like Hollywood stars, politicians, and even kings, queens, and important emissaries at the Greenbrier Hotel where her father worked. In her early teens, Cathy’s family moved to Detroit at a time when it was a vibrant city bustling with opportunity. Catherine attended local schools including Highland Park High School where she was involved in various clubs and activities. She also enjoying swimming and ice skating. After graduating from Highland Park High School, Cathy attended Junior College, then earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State University. Cathy continued to take coursework at Michigan State University, Lansing Community College and Montcalm Community College.

Life was forever changed for Catherine when she met the man of her dreams. His name was James M. Bour, and they were introduced by a friend in Detroit. About one year later the couple was married on June 22, 1956, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Detroit. Together they were blessed with the births of five children: James, Gretchen, Roger, Andrea, and Matthew. Cathy was a devoted mother who fostered her children’s interest in nature and the world around them. Through the years the family’s dogs Prince, Heidi and Nikomis were often joined by additional and quite unusual pet companions including rabbits, geckos, tarantulas, alligator lizards, wounded wrens, and salamanders just to name a few. However, earwigs were never welcome in her home!

Catherine tried to make every day special. She could make any holiday fun, and every holiday was worthy of having its own glory displayed in her home-- including in the picture window that was always beautifully decorated. Streamers and special colored cakes were a staple for birthdays in Cathy’s home. Christmas boasted of a beautifully decorated tree that burst with presents on Christmas morning that outnumbered people by a ratio of fifteen to one! Vacations were priceless with a summer vacation spent in Nova Scotia being among the ones she and her children cherished the most. There was also an unforgettable train ride on the Silver Chief to California as well as camping trips to places such as Elberta Beach, Manitoulyn Island, and weekend ski trips to Sugarloaf and other Michigan resorts.

Catherine was full of wise sayings like, “Inch by inch, it's a cinch, mile by mile, it's a trial,” and, "The closer the goal, the less the drive.” These wise words and so many more gave Cathy’s children something to cling to when times get tough.

Everything she did deeply enriched Cathy’s life. She saw beauty in any form whether a simple cornflower growing along the sidewalk or a Rodin sculpture in an art museum. Catherine had a keen appreciation for an opera as well as a song by the Rolling Stones. Poetry and favorite books including Gifts from the Sea were often within reach and her favorite movies included Gone with the Wind and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Cathy usually had her camera with her as she had a keen interest in photography, but more importantly she didn’t want to miss capturing the beauty of something in the world around her. A firm believer in never taking the privilege of being an American for granted, she was very involved in politics at the local and state level, and often encouraged her family and friends to exercise their rights as American citizens as well. Cathy dedicated much of her (limited) free time working diligently on local and state political campaigns and conventions and was an ardent supporter of national and international social justice causes. She loved things like playing the piano, art, music, ice skating, skiing, camping, beach combing, and star gazing.

There was no one who came into contact with Cathy and left unchanged. She was innately able to understand and empathize with others. When she met an unpleasant personality, she sought to understand the reason for their unhappiness --if she were first unable to find a glimmer of kindness within them. Cathy never harbored hate or held grudges. But, if someone was unfair or cruel to someone she loved, that person would surely know it! A self-described “Chatty Cathy,” she not only engaged others in meaningful conversation, but more importantly she actively listened to get to know people on a personal level.

Described as a kind and loving soul, Catherine Bour exemplified what it means to live a life of purpose focused on others first and foremost. Cathy could find the good in everyone and everything-- no matter the circumstances around her. Always willing to help, her compassion, her generosity, and her grace had no equal. Cathy leaves behind a timeless legacy that will be proudly carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.

Catherine Bour, of Spring Lake, died September 28, 2014. Catherine’s family includes her 5 children: James B. (Norma) Bour, Gretchen (Srinivas) Garimella, Roger (Kris Tina) Bour, Andrea (John) Plant, and Matthew (Stephanie) Bour; and 5 grandchildren: Rebecca (Ryan) Eichhorn, James R. Bour, Nathaniel Plant, Sachin Garimella, and Elric Bour; and infant twin grandchildren: Asha and Jack. Cathy was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Bour; siblings: Edmund, Eugenia and June. Surviving are her 5 children: James B. (Norma) Bour, Gretchen (Srinivas) Garimella, Roger (Kris Tina) Bour, Andrea (John) Plant, and Matthew (Stephanie) Bour; and 5 grandchildren: Rebecca (Ryan) Eichhorn, James R. Bour, Nathaniel Plant, Sachin Garimella, and Elric Bour; and infant twin grandchildren: Asha and Jack. A private service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Interment will take place at a later date in Carson City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Carson City Hospital, Rose Arbor Hospice, UNICEF or the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. Please visit Cathy’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of her and sign her online guestbook. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive – 375-2900.