Cathy Browne, 65

Cathy Browne, age 65 of Northfield, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester surrounded by her loving family.

Cathy was born in Northfield, MN on May 17, 1946 to Elaine (Van Guilder) and Walt Hughes. After graduating from Northfield High School she attended Bay Path College in East Longmeadow, MA. Cathy married Bob Browne on December 2, 1967 in Enfield, CT where they began their family.

Bob and Cathy moved to Northfield with their two daughters in 1972 where Cathy began working for her parents at Hughes’ Fair Price Market. For the past 31 years Cathy has worked at St. Olaf College. Her association with St. Olaf fostered her love of all things Norwegian, not to be confused with her love of all things Irish.

Cathy was an avid dog lover and was very involved in canine rescue. Over the years their home saw a diverse collection of four-legged family members ranging from Great Danes to Chihuahuas; most recently her beloved Agatha and Levi. Her wide taste in music included Josh Groban, Celtic tunes, Sting, and Susan Boyle. She loved her job, reading historical fiction, cooking for the holidays, and traveling back to New England to see the changing of the leaves.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Walt and Elaine Hughes, brothers Alan and Al, and brother-in-law Danny Browne. She is survived by her husband Bob, daughters Robin Browne Anderson of Mankato, and Kristen Browne of Northfield, as well as granddaughters Nicholle and Cassidy Anderson. Other survivors include sisters Jan (Larry) Lemieux of Minneapolis, Sue (Randy) Burns of Omaha, NE, Cindy (Tom) Young of Lakeville, MN, and sister-in-law Marion Browne of Enfield, CT, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Pallbearers are brothers-in-law Larry Lemieux, Randy Burns, and Tom Young, and nephews Dan Browne, Michael Burns, and Nick Gross. Honorary Pallbearers are nephews Andrew Burns and Zac Young and nieces Kim Browne Luginbuhl, Molly Burns Merrell, Tracy Lemieux Gross, Kelly Burns Klatt, and Sherry Young.

Visitation will be held at Bierman’s Funeral Home on Thursday, January 19th, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 20th at the Bierman Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment to follow at Stanton Cemetery, Stanton, MN.

Funeral arrangements are by the Bierman Funeral Home of Northfield.