Catherine LaVanway Lewis passed away on 1-8-2025. Catherine was a resident of Porter Indiana. Catherine was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on 7-31-1945 to Carl and Ann LaVanway who
preceded her in death. Catherine has five children: Jeanette McLaughlin(Matthew,) Denise Beck (Mike,) Jack Spear Jr., Angela Martin (Rick,) and Melissa Pickford ( Eric,). Catherine has five grandchildren: Jessica Evans (Justin,) Justin Spear, Rachel McLaughlin, Ian Beck, Kevin Beck, and Ben Pickford, and three great-grandchildren, Evalyne, Nathaniel, and Belle. She is also survived by her cousin, Betsy Albrecht who has always been like a sister to her. Catherine was preceded in death by her five siblings, John LaVanway, Eileen Neidzwiecki, Carl LaVanway, Ethel Wilkins, and Melva Jean LaVanway along with her two cousins that she loved like siblings, Tommy and Steven Wilkens. Catherine was also “mom” to two beloved Welsh Terriers, Maybelline and Boone, who have always been considered part of the family.
Catherine grew up in a time when learning differences and being left handed got you labeled as “dumb.” She told stories of having her left hand tied behind her back to train her not to use her dominant hand. A hearty tap with a ruler was a reminder to use the “right” hand. As to be expected, she dropped out before finishing high school. Later in life she obtained her GED and then a degree in Culinary Arts from Ivy Tech. This was a huge accomplishment for her, and her family is very proud of her for that. She worked at the Spa restaurant and later became the chef at a fraternity house for Valparaiso University. She loved her job working with “her boys.” Catherine was an amazing cook, and could pretty much make a delicious meal out of anything. This skill came in handy when as a single mom, she experienced economic challenges and domestic violence which led to homelessness. She worked to overcome poverty, and was eventually able to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning a home and has lived in the town of Porter for 15 years. Catherine loved gardening and was gifted with a green thumb. She was an amazing self taught painter, and yes, she painted with her left hand! She loved going to bluegrass and blues music festivals and concerts.
Catherine was a survivor of breast cancer and wanted her body to be donated to the IU Medical School for the purpose of helping others diagnosed with the same medical conditions. She was of the Christian faith. Although she hadn’t attended a church in years, her son in law Matthew took her communion and prayed with her whenever she was feeling up to it. Her family will always have fond memories of grandma driving her Winnebago to family camping trips and the world’s best homemade gingerbread cookies and pumpkin pies.
A Celebration of Life for Catherine will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 8705 S. County Road 100 East, Hamlet, IN 46532, on January 24, 2025 from 4-6PM with food and fellowship to follow.
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