Obituary

Cathryn “Cathy” L. Howard, 80, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri peacefully passed away September 16, 2022 at Kansas City Hospice House, after a long 9-month battle against cancer, with family by her side.

Cathy was born February 14, 1942 to parents Carmel and Helen Rittman. She was their youngest child and only daughter. She graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1960, where she was a majorette.  She loved to tell stories of her youth, growing up, going to school in Lee’s Summit and how much fun she had helping with many of her class reunions.

Cathy married the love of her life, Dale Howard on September 7, 1973. Their daughters Katy and Linda were both by their side that day when they became a family. 

Cathy’s hobbies included cooking and baking for her friends and family, traveling with her husband and watching her grandchildren in their sports. If she was unable to be at the events in person, she was glued to gamechanger or whatever streaming system was available. In addition to family sports, she loved most softball, her Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tigers.

In recent years, Cathy and Dale would travel with friends. They were able to cruise to places like Aruba, Alaska, Panama and Colombia. Many times, they would go on long road trips across the United States. Over the last 17 years, Table Rock Lake, Big Cedar was the favorite destination for a quick get-away to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas with their family and or close friends.  

She made a home that was always a gathering place for all – family, friends, neighbors and her daughter’s school friends.  They would gather at the table, in the living room or on the front stoop. Everyone knew that they would be welcome, safe and that there would probably be food involved.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents Carmel and Helen, in-laws J.C. and Billie Williams and her son-in-law Beau Groceman. Those left to cherish and honor her memory are her husband Dale Howard, daughter Katy (Holland) Groceman, and granddaughter Phoebe; her daughter Linda (Holland) Hayes, son-in-law Jim Hayes, grandson Tanner and granddaughter Riley, along with her two brothers Joe and Don Rittman and their families; countless cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.

Cathy was a phenomenal wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to all. She was loved and will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. With her 80 years of life she was able to live a life full of love and laughs and left an amazing legacy.

Saturday, October 8, 2022, a visitation for friends and family will be held at 4:00, prior to the Celebration of Life at 5:00 at Langsford Funeral Home. The family has asked that everyone feel free to dress comfortably and in leu of flowers, donations be made to Kansas City Hospice House. Cathy spent her last few days in the KC Hospice House and received excellent care and her family received amazing support and compassion from staff during that difficult time.

Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO. 64063