Just a mere 10 days after the loss of our great friend Pete Fountain, our Stoughton High School Class of 1983 was devastated a second time when we learned of the passing of our dear friend Cathy Gallant. Just as I did for Pete, I'd like to spend some time sharing some thoughts about this dear, devine woman that enriched all of our lives in so many ways.
The first thing that you always noticed about Cathy was her heartwarming smile. She loved everybody. Family and friends meant the world to her. She was the kind of friend that you could talk to for hours, until 3:00 in the morning. You really got the sense she cared about you. She loved being with the people she loved. We spent many a night at the House of Brews in Stoughton- she loved that place- and whenever I would send out invites to our monthly night of song she would frequently be the first one to respond that she was coming. She truly enjoyed it. In fact, she only missed one of them. ONE.
Her kids, Megan and Stephen, were her pride and joy. She loved both of them and would do anything for them. Time and time again she would go above and beyond for them. Anybody who knew her saw that love in her heart time and time again.
I used to love to make her laugh. She had a great sense of humor. I would send my corny, pun-infested one liners to her and she would laugh at every one of them. And it was genuine. She wasn't laughing to spare my feelings- she genuinely enjoyed that corniness, I think it cracked her up. I would love seeing her happy.
Speaking of the House of Brews, I think the hardest part of Cathy's passing is that we're not going to see her come through those doors again, and that's what hurts me the most. The next time I go in there to play, I know I'll look over at the doors and expect her to walk in. And it's not going to happen, and that's going to make me very sad. But I'll tell you this much- I'll sing for her in heaven. And I know she'll hear it, and she'll be smiling down on all of us.
Her face lit up when she was around all of us. You could tell she really enjoyed it.
And our reunion in September- she was so excited about coming. Just thinking about her not being there is making me tear up.
I'm going to unload some feelings here. It's going to be pretty deep. But hopefully it will be therapeutic. Cathy was one of my best friends. She truly was one of my favorite people I've ever known. We just clicked together as friends. It was natural and comfortable. We understood each other and were at ease with each other, all the time. We used to talk about the drink Limoncello- that was another thing she loved- and I went over to her house one Thanksgiving and we shared a few glasses of it.
Cathy made us all better people just by being herself. She was a ray of sunshine wherever she went. When I played at the Last Shot in Stoughton recently, her and Diane Kimball, another friend that I adore, came out to see me play. I was so excited to see both of them there. They made it fun for me, and gave me a gift I'll always remember.
Cathy. I know you know this , but man you were so loved. We loved you with all our hearts. The loss is being felt by everyone, everywhere. We'll press onward, and you will always be in our hearts. I wish I could bring you back, right now. I know I personally am very, truly sad.
When I sip on some Limoncello, I will think of you. When I am at the House of Brews playing, I will think of you. You are my "unbiological" sister. I wish I could see you , one more time. I wish I could bring you back, just as I wish I could bring Pete back.
You are with the angels now. I'll never forget you. I'll do everything I can to make you proud.
Fly high with the angels, dear friend. Until we meet again.
