Catherine Marie Glinke

Catherine Marie Glinke (Pummill, Woodyard, St. John, Cox) October 14, 1945 - September 22, 2026

Cathy was the oldest of seven children, born to Warren and Rita Pummill, who preceded her in death, along with her beloved brother, Mike.

She is survived by her siblings Judy Blair, Terri Pummill, Miriam Snyder (Lester), Bonnie Woomer (Bob), and Matt Pummill (Karen); her children Mark Woodyard (Tracey), Beckie Simcic (Jay), and Aaron Cox (Lexie); her grandchildren Brian Bruce (Nicole), Mason Woodyard (Mira), Megan Cox, Hannah Simcic, and Emma Woodyard; her great-granddaughter Bailey; and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

As the oldest of seven, Cathy was a caregiver from the very beginning. Taking care of people seemed to be woven into who she was. She carried that throughout her life, always available for someone in need of help, comfort, food, or simply to be welcomed in.

Life wasn't always rosy for Cathy, either as a child or as an adult. As a child, she was raised with a deep fear of her father, and she was never taught how to navigate confrontation or difficult emotions. When life became overwhelming, her instinct was to grow quiet, step away, or find a place to hide until she could gather her thoughts and bring her feelings back under control. It was her way of finding a little peace in the middle of life's storms. Those who loved her came to understand that her quietness was not indifference—it was how she found her way back to herself.

Perhaps because she knew what it felt like to live with fear, Cathy chose something different for her own children. She raised them with love and compassion. Her children were always in the kitchen with her, where she wasn't afraid to teach them how to crack eggs, peel vegetables, or help prepare a meal. She made clothes for them with her own hands, and some of their sweetest memories are of lying on the floor and listening to her read stories.

She raised her children with a gentle heart, but that didn't mean she didn't have her moments. Occasionally, love and compassion came accompanied by an orange Hot Wheels racetrack, which, when properly wielded, gave her a good three-foot arm extension when necessary. It was a practical parenting tool, and her kids understood that sometimes Mom's reach was considerably longer than it appeared.

Cathy was also the kind of mom who showed up. She volunteered at school, whether through the PTA, classroom mom, or by stepping in as a substitute teacher. She gave her time freely and was always willing to lend a hand wherever she was could. Caring for others wasn't simply something she did at home—it was part of who she was.

Her brother Mike was her rock and her steadying force throughout her life. His passing in 2023 created a vacancy in her heart that none of us could have foreseen. From an early age, Mike provided a safe place for Cathy —a home where she could find refuge from the battles she faced. He had an open-door policy (sometimes revolving) for her and her children. In between spouses, she always knew she could return to Mike’s safe space. Their bond was one of the great constants of her life, and his loss stayed with her.

Cathy was a romantic at heart. She was married four times, and while life may have taught her some hard lessons about the men she chose, she never gave up on the idea of love. She never gave up on love—maybe on the men, but never on the idea of love.

Throughout her life, she found joy in the outdoors. Whether camping in a tent or an RV, or simply having a picnic in the backyard, she approached it all as an adventure. She loved gardening, cooking, crocheting, and sewing, and everything she did was infused with joy and passion.

Cathy was most comfortable as a wallflower, happily observing from the edges rather than standing in the center of the room. She never needed to be the star, although she certainly had her moments when a little attention felt pretty good. She could be quiet and unassuming one minute and then give you just enough of a “look at me” moment to remind you that the wallflower had a little sparkle of her own.

She enjoyed dancing in the basement listening to Elvis. She played Cher and Prince on full blast while cleaning house. She enjoyed torturing Brian and Aaron with Enya all weekend long. And she loved being a hostess for family holidays, always believing that the more the merrier.

She was funny, stubborn, generous, adventurous, quiet, and fiercely protective of her people. She loved with all her heart. Through every stage of life, she held on to her spunk and her sense of humor.

Cathy was many things to many people: Catherine, Cathy, Cath, Mom, Aunt Cakky, Nanny. Whoever she was to you, we hope you felt the love and kindness that were at the heart of who she was.

She was small in stature, but there was nothing small about the life she lived or the love she gave. She spread that love everywhere she went, like glitter, and those of us who knew her will carry those little pieces of her with us always.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 26 from 12-3, at the home of Jay & Beckie Simcic. There will be a 2nd Celebration of Life during the annual family camping trip in October.