Cathy Ann "Cack" McCalips

Cathy Ann “Cack” McCalips, 67, of Mount Pleasant Mills and of Lewistown, passed away suddenly on Monday, September 2, 2024, at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Born March 13, 1957, in Lewistown, she was a daughter of the late Elizabeth “Betty Ann” (Passmore) and Melvin “Cook” McCalips.  In addition to her parents, Cathy was preceded in death by a sister, Cindy Vogt in 2002, and nephew, Jonathan Houy.

Cathy is survived by: husband, Jeffrey Silks, of Mount Pleasant Mills; sister, Linda Houy (Michael), of Monroeville; aunts, Deborah Carodiskey (Thomas, deceased), and Kay Wilcher (Richard); nephews and niece, Charlie Vogt, Megan Kauffman, Benjamin Vogt, Michael Vogt, Matthew Houy, and James McPherson; and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.

Cathy was a Lewistown Area High School graduate, Class of 1975, and member of the Penn Highlands Marching Band.  She maintained friendships with many of her classmates and looked forward to attending class reunions.

She was employed at the former Scotty’s Fashions until receiving her certification as a Registered Nurse from Geisinger Medical Center. Cathy then spent the next 40 years caring for people in the community and the last 9 years putting her skills to special use while tending to her parents.

Cathy loved animals, often adopting a lost dog or cat to be well cared for.  She will be missed by her current canine companions, Billie and Bellarina.  She enjoyed feeding the wild birds and often commented on the coming of Spring by the arrival of hummingbirds and Spring peeper frogs.  Cathy was a member of the Juniata Valley YMCA where she could often be found exercising with friends.  Her leisure time was spent listening to country music and watching old cowboy shows and reruns of “Murder She Wrote” and “Bones”.

She also enjoyed craft events, especially the State College Arts Festival, and burning candles.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Heller Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Woodlawn, 200 North Main Street, Lewistown.

The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Woodlawn Funeral Home, with Pastor Bob Marsh officiating.

Interment will take place at Juniata Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions in Cathy’s memory may be made to Pets Come First, 2451 General Potter Highway, Centre Hall, PA 16828, online at www.petscomefirst.net/donate.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2.

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