Catherine Marie (Fernsler) Ryan-Stover was born in Easton, Pennsylvania on March 25, 1941, to parents John P. and Edith C. (Manfredo) Fernsler. Cathy passed away February 12, 2022, in Mesa, Arizona.
Cathy’s life, which consisted of several stages, helped create one, strong, amazing woman.
She was a wonderful Daughter, Sister, Mother, and Wife. Her love for her parents and siblings John, Linda and Debby have never wavered. Her sisters Linda and Debby have remained her best friends throughout her lifetime.
At a young age she found herself as a single mother to four, very unique children, Kelly, John, Frank and Denise. She carried an enormous load of responsibilities to support her family.
Cathy was always trying to improve herself to enhance her family’s quality of life.
She grew up in Southern California, graduating from Benjamin Franklin High School in Los Angeles. Later, while working for TransAmerica Insurance Company, she furthered her education by attending Mount San Antonio College.
She moved to Mesa, Arizona in August 1971 where she attended Mesa Community College. Then, she began a second career as realtor.
Through her community connections she discovered her passion and love for a newly formed Non-profit, Prehab of Arizona. During the next 32 years Cathy formed a lifetime of friendships that shared her love of community service, many of whom supported each other over 30 years through life’s challenges.
Cathy was so proud of helping to implement the instrumental changes for non-profits including, providing retirement benefits, health insurance and program consolidation, always thinking of her coworkers and their future security.
Her life grew with the love of her community service to many nonprofit boards, including, Prehab of Arizona, Helaman House, Prehab Foundation, A New Leaf, Saint Vincent DePaul, St Mary’s Food Bank, Fix the Hurt. Additionally, she served on the finance committee at All Saints Catholic Church as a testament to the love of her Catholic faith.
As an active participant and spectator, Cathy loved sports including softball and bowling with a special fondness for baseball and football. She loved to play cards and games especially Farkle and Trivial Pursuit. Her favorite hobby was genealogy, which was a passion she has shared with her sisters for forty years. They would meet regularly during the year to discuss new findings and update records. They enjoyed traveling annually to either Salt Lake City or Pennsylvania in search of additional information to expand their family tree.
As a mother, grandmother, great grandmother she was always there to support her family. She served as a coach or team mom for her children when they played sports. Oftentimes going to multiple games in one day. She tried never to miss a game or performance as she was always there to show her encouragement.
In 1987 Cathy met the love of her life, Bill Stover, at the G Bar G. Cathy and Bill immediately began blending their lives, sharing many passions including sports, fishing in the White Mountains and gambling. It did not matter whether they were outdoors, playing cards or slots she always had fun.
She loved and embraced Bill’s three children and all of their grandchildren.
Cathy enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and spending as much time as possible in her favorite place, her cabin in Pinetop.
Once Cathy retired, she was able to spend her winters in the valley and her summers in Pinetop. While in Pinetop, she was active at St Mary’s of the Angels parish. Continuing with her thirst for knowledge, she attended weekly in-depth Bible Study courses.
Cathy enjoyed the past 15 years of retirement pursuing her love of travel, sports, gambling, genealogy and her appreciation of nature.
Our lives will not be the same without you. You have changed our lives forever. You will be missed, but you will always be in our hearts.
Aunt Cathy has been such an important part of my whole life. As a kid, some of my greatest memories involve her and her four kids. Us six kids drove around in her VW bug with her and my mom. We went to rivers, pools, camping. After I lost my mom, Aunt Cathy became even more important to me. She felt like such a strong connection to my mom. We used to talk every week and she always had so many awesome stories about growing up with my mom. She would even tell me stories about myself as a kid that I didn’t remember. I am sure that there was much rejoicing in heaven when she joined our growing family there. She will forever hold a special place in my heart. Until we meet again.
My husband and I worked at Prehab with Cathy many years ago. We were so sorry to hear of her passing. Cathy will always be remembered as a great leader and a fearless advocate for those in need. Our love to her family and friends.
My Dearest Cathy, I’m going to miss you.
You were the best Stepmom anyone could ask for, thank you for all the years we got to spend with you. I will always love you, and thank you for taking care of my DAD 😢❤️
As a young college graduate, Cathy made me feel so special and loved at Prehab of Arizona. I knew from day one that she was rallying behind the agency and the employees and had an urgent need to help her community. She was a true servant to her community and very much loved by everyone at A New Leaf.
Mike and Bridget Talty