Catherine Agnes Leary Torlakson (San Francisco Chronicle)

San Francisco Chronicle
Obituary
July 6, 2008

Catherine Agnes Leary Torlakson October 17, 1923 - June 24, 2008, Resident of Antioch

Catherine moved on to her eternal peace on Tuesday, June 24th. She was in her home at Quail Lodge in Antioch. Catherine was a San Franciscan, born in this great city October 17, 1923.

Her parents were Michael Leary and Margaret Moriarty Leary. Michael was born in 1883 in County Kerry in Ireland. She was a proud sister to firefighter Jack Leary of SF and Margaret Lyons of South SF.

She attended Notre Dame Grammar School and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1941. She received a top honor upon graduating from grammar school - selected by teachers and her fellow students. It was the American Legion Award for scholarship and being an all-around outstanding student.

In her youth, Cay (as she was fondly called by her family and friends) was a good tennis player and could out-run most of the boys. Cay married Allen Daniel Torlakson in 1946 and they raised three boys-Tom, Jim and Chris.

Catherine was an incredibly wonderful mother. She was a top notch secretary-at Mission High School, Daly City Police Department and US Postal Service. She loved watching and talking with babies and young children. She was an excellent gardener, cook, and writer. She relished chocolate and ice cream.

Cay was a great friend of cats. Cay was graceful and distinguished, organized and meticulous. She loved to travel and even learned to like camping.

Seven Irish Catholic girls who met in her grammar school formed the "Irish Club." They have met regularly over the past 69 years. St. Patrick's Day was always one of their favorites. The three remaining friends from that group are Marion Murphy Kearney, May Oakes Donovan, and Dolores Ryan Arnke. They recall her as fun loving, honest and kind. They will keep her favorite toast alive: "Here's looking at you!"

Cay was so proud of her sons. Jim and Tom live on-and she lives on in them and their children. Jim is a well known artist and instructor at San Francisco Community College. Tom is a teacher and serves as California State Senator.

Cay simply adored her six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Tom and Diana Torlakson's daughters are Tiffany and Tamara. Jim and Kathleen Bodner's daughter was Elizabeth. She gave birth to Devon and Izaak before she passed away. From Jim, Cay also has Kian, Kyla and Daniel. Cay was godmother to Gail Baraff. She admired a special niece, Karen Skelton who interviewed her recently for a family history of the Moriartys.

Over the last year, she would spontaneously sing one of her favorite songs: "Blue Skies-smiling at me-nothing but blue skies-do I see!" Cay's constant companion and friend over the past year and a half has been her beloved cat-Kit.

She cared so much for animals. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to: Friends of Animal Services, P.O. Box 1242, Antioch, CA 94509. On Tuesday, July 8, a vigil and visitation will be held for Cay at the Higgins Chapel, 1310 A Street, in Antioch. The vigil is from 4-5 p.m., with visitation to follow from 5-8 p.m. On Wednesday, July 9, a Funeral Liturgy and Eulogy in Cay's honor will be held at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd in Antioch. The services will begin at 2 p.m.