Catherine Frances Irving

A wide circle of family and friends mourn the passing of Cathy Irving on February 9, 2014 after a long and courageous battle with lung disease. Born with the name Katherine Frances Sportolari on March 10, 1926 in Bridgeville, PA. She was the youngest (and last surviving sibling) of six multi-talented individuals; Elizabeth, Phillip, Eileen, Hazel and Mary Louise. Their parents Mary and Frank Sportolari had a grocery store and an ice cream parlor and this is where their lifelong history of pranks and antics first began. This is also where Frank first created Spumoni ice cream, a moment of great family pride. They were a very close knit family and enjoyed life to the fullest and instilled in all of us a sense of love, family togetherness and that laughter is always the best medicine. Cathy went to New York to pursue her career, where she met and married Alan Irving in 1962 (preceded in death in 1997). They raised their two children, Lucy (John Keenan) and Chris (Tracy Irving) in Willingboro, NJ. The family moved to Northern, CA in 1976, starting their new adventures on the West Coast. Lots of food, laughter and any excuse for a get together are well known attributes to their large family and many great friends. She will be greatly missed at these events (and everywhere else). She was quite the fashionista and had just the "right" head to toe outfit for any occasion. She had a great smile and a kind heart, putting concern for others before herself until the very end. While her three grandchildren Jillianne, Loren and Myles Irving were much loved and brought her great joy, ice cream, dark chocolate and corn chips were also very well liked. Family and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass, Saturday February 15, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at St James Catholic Church in Petaluma. You are invited to wear red in celebration of Catherine's love and life. Special thanks to Ashley, Sharon and everyone at Hospice of Petaluma for their kind and loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Petaluma are greatly appreciated. PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY.