Catherine “Cathy” Ann Secor



1958 - 2021



Catherine A. Secor passed away April 22, 2021 at her home in Oakdale, Minnesota. 



Cathy was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister.  Cathy was born in St.Paul, MN and spent her early childhood days in North St.Paul, before moving to Stillwater and attending both middle school and high school.



A steadfast defender of family and friends, Cathy was known to all for her quick wit, playful personality, zest for life and ability to tell it straight.  She left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was forever the mama bear, nana, big sister and friend.  Her pride for her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids never went unsaid and she loved wholeheartly.  Cathy took great pride in living a simple and humble lifestyle, where family always came first.



In her youthful years, Cathy never passed up the opportunity for social engagement (a.k.a. a good party)—even if it meant missing school.  She was confident, popular, academically strong and happy-go-lucky.  Cathy was always happy to share fashion advice—from make-up to beaded leather vests and custom bell-bottom jeans to baby-blue eyeshadow and glitter makeup.  She was always in style.  She believed rules were merely a guide--meant to be bent and occasionally broken. A rebellious soul, she occasionally pushed the limits and paved the way for her younger siblings. 



A life-long smoker, she started smoking when it was cool--and continued when it wasn’t.  She went everywhere and did everything with a cigarette in one hand and a cocktail in the other.  She loved music and dancing; although she couldn’t carry a tune, she was always the first one to hit the dance floor.  She loved black-and-white movies, banana popsicles, Jamaican beaches, and was a diehard Vikings football fan.



Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Phyllis Peterson and Myron Bowker.  She is survived by her husband, Bryan Secor; daughters, Tanya Richert and Jamie Richert; grandchildren, Triston Richert and Alexa Richert; great grandchildren, Alivia Washington and Anthony Washington; sisters, Teresa (Dennis) Jenson, Kim Madden (Mark Nelson), and Cynthia Hagen; stepfather, Richard Peterson and nieces and nephews, Brandon Madden, Kayla Jenson, and Maxwell Jenson.