Catharine M. (Brown) Tei

A gracious lady, Catharine M. (Brown) Tei, 'Cathy', was ushered into Glory on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, from her home on the Brackel, Cincinnatus, NY. She was born in Cincinnatus on February 24, 1940, the younger daughter and sixth of ten children of Earl Henry & Verna Eliza (Doupe) Brown. Cathy completed extensive research on her heritage as a 10th-generation descendant of Thomas Brown of Lynn, Massachusetts; her pioneer ancestors are buried in Deer Pond Cemetery, Pharsalia. She bore her affliction of cancer from February of 2010 on with Christian grace, and approached the subsequent treatments with the same determination and perseverance that characterized every aspect of her life. Her calm spirit and peace of mind were noted by all who saw her and by those who ministered to her needs.

At the age of 12 Cathy was invited by Elizabeth Lum to Vacation Bible School at the Brackel Methodist Church. It was after these classes that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized in old Calvary Baptist Church of Norwich. Her childhood years were happily spent in Cincinnatus enjoying sports, hunting with her brothers, and being in teen youth group activities with Brackel Valley Baptist Church. She graduated with a Regents Diploma from Cincinnatus High School in 1957. She worked as a telephone operator, housekeeper, camp counselor and cafeteria helper to pay for her education at Baptist Bible Seminary then in Johnson City, NY, earning the BRE degree in 1964 and beginning her career teaching second grade at Marathon. She completed graduate work and earned her permanent certification in elementary education from SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Cortland. On December 18, 1971, Cathy was married by Rev. Winston Maricle at her home church, First Baptist in Cincinnatus, to Bill Tei of Truxton. In 1990 Cathy and Bill became guardians of her eight-year old great-niece Jennifer (Brown) Spencer, who lived with them for thirteen years. Jenn brought laughter and joys too numerous to count to her Aunt Cathy. After twenty-six years at their home in Willet they moved to Brackel Rd., Cincinnatus, where she helped Bill take care of his ailing mother until her death in January 2000, and later provided loving care in their home for her mother until her death in January 2010. Cathy retired from thirty-four years teaching second grade at Appleby Elementary School, Marathon, in 2000. She earned recognition in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" in 1990. She continued to teach at home as she guided her great-grandnephew and niece, Nate and Rachel Spencer, through their early learning.

Cathy served enthusiastically as teen counselor, bookkeeper, clerk, Sunday School teacher, choir member and on missions boards at Cincinnatus Baptist, Marathon Baptist and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Polkville/Cortland. She enjoyed singing with the Countryside Community Choir, traveling, reading, quilting, and spending time with her family and friends. At her Brackel Rd. home she hosted her high school class reunions and family reunions.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Bill; twenty-four nieces and nephews, who will dearly miss having their beloved Aunt Cathy to share their hopes and dreams; her special great-niece Jennifer (Isaac) Spencer and her four children who knew 'Tee Tee's' home as their second home; her two best friends from seminary days, Sally of Niagara Falls and Ruth of Binghamton; her friends Rachael and Laura with whom she shared forays to Book Club, Frog Pond, and berry patches; her singing partners Carol and Roxanne; also survived by sister Jane White of Oxford, sisters-in-law Wilma Brown of Freetown, Janette Richer of Norwich, and Ginny Brown of South Plymouth, brothers Paul David of Cortland, Anthony of Norwich, Ronnie of Cincinnatus and his son-in-law/care-giver Jeremy Custer, sister-in-law Dottie (John) Seeland who loved her like her own sister, brother-in-law Andy (Thanh) Tei of San Jose CA; eighteen cousins including special thanks to Joan (Brown) Smith of Cortland and Barb (Brown) Closson of Blodgett Mills, who was inspired by Cathy's example to also become a teacher, and cousin Rev. Gary Doupe of Bainbridge who helped Cathy fulfill a dream by traveling with Cathy and Bill to northern Ontario in August 2010 to visit family and see the homesteads and burial sites of her great- and great-great-grandparents, Irish immigrants to Canada; her Aunt Margaret (Payne) Doupe Chauncey of Bainbridge, herself also an elementary school teacher. Cathy was predeceased by her parents; her brothers Rodney 1936, Mark 1945, Robert 1961, George 2000, Clifford 2001; her niece Sandy Brown Custer and baby Aiden in March 2010.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held in the spring, Sunday, May 1, at 4 p.m., at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Polkville (Cortland), with her pastor Rev. James Hundley officiating. Burial will be in the spring in Pitcher Cemetery near the Brown family plot in Pitcher, New York. Cathy's immediate family members are invited to an open house at her home, 5949 State Highway 23, Cincinnatus, Sunday, February 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a time of prayer at 3:00 p.m. Donations in Cathy's name may be sent to Marathon Christian Academy c/o First Baptist Church, Marathon, NY 13803, or Caring Community Hospice of Cortland, 11 Kennedy Parkway., Cortland, NY 13045. Arrangements are by KL Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus.

Cathy and Bill are grateful for the special care ministered during her illnesses: Elly Abel, the doctors and nurses at the ROC and University Medical; Cortland Community Caring Hospice; Cheryl Brown Enright and Bobbi Jo Diliello; Countryside Community Choir members; the steadfastness of the prayer groups and individuals who upheld Cathy & Bill before the throne of God; Pastors Jim Hundley and Andy Smith; those who called, wrote, visited, sent meals, and cleaned house. All were a great encouragement.