Catherine Cortez

Catherine Cortez, age 85, sadly passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022. Catherine was born on October 17, 1937 to her mother Francesca and father Bernardo Renda in Tunis, Tunisia. In the mid 50's her parents along with her sisters, Emily and Albine decided to make the long journey by boat to the United States. They settled in downtown Sacramento. A few short years later she met dad who was stationed at Mather AFB. That is when they started their family, Frank, Steve, Albine, Benny, Denise, and finally Yvette.

Mom and dad moved back and forth from Sacramento to Louisiana and in 1969 they finally settled in Sacramento for the rest of their lives.

Catherine turned 50 and we teased her that she learned how to drive, got her ears pierced, and then went to work.

Catherine started working for Sacramento Unified School District in the kitchen. She loved going to work and meeting new people. She made great friends.

Catherine has great friends in her personnel life also. They were always together on the weekends.

Catherine loved being in the car and just riding around. It didn't matter where she was going she just loved being out. She loved going to the Italian Festival in Reno where the singers would sing to her.

Catherine loved all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

There would be a graveside service on January 4 at 10:15 a.m. at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA at 5810 Midway Rd.