Catherine L. O’Connell, known affectionately to friends and family as Cathy, passed away on February 26, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was born on August 21, 1960, in Orange County, California, and spent her life leaving warmth in the places she touched and in the people she loved.

Cathy was preceded in death by her husband, Pat O’Connell; her mother, Carla Holmberg; her father, Donald Jones; her son, Gary Heinz Sr.; and her sisters, Debra, Lisa, Monica, and Pamala Jones.

She is survived by her son, Justin Calhoun; her daughter, Amber Gardner; her stepmother, Irene Howard; her brother, Donald Jones Jr.; and her sisters, Brook Jones, Kathy Jurado, Roxanne Effrick, and Shannon Mark. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Chloe, Dakota, Damien, Gary, Haley, Mariah, and Rayah, as well as her close friend, Shirley.

An alumna of Baker College, Cathy was proud to earn an Associate degree in General Studies—a reflection of her determination to keep moving forward. She dedicated 27 years to Johnson Technology (now the GE Aviation Division) as a Senior Parts Specialist, where she built lasting friendships and collected the kind of stories coworkers still smile about long after the workday ends.

Cathy found joy in the simple things: a country-road motorcycle ride with Pat, oldies and classic country on the speakers, and the familiar comfort of music—especially The Judds, whose songs she seemed to know by heart. She loved cooking a good meal and took real happiness in watching everyone else leave the table satisfied. That giving spirit wasn’t occasional—it was who she was. Cathy opened her home and her heart more times than most people will ever know, taking in family and others who needed a safe place to land, a steady voice, and a chance to get back on their feet.

One of Justin’s most cherished memories with his mom was driving down to the Lake Michigan shoreline—getting ice cream, watching storms gather and roll across the water, and heading out just before the rain reached the beach. Even now, the sound of rain and the sight of a storm moving in will always carry her back into the room.

Life asked a lot of Cathy. She faced hardship more than once, but she kept going—again and again—meeting each setback with a stubborn kind of courage and a heart that refused to harden.

Cathy faced life with grit, heart, and an acceptance that gave others strength. Even in the hardest moments, she kept going—and reminded those around her to trust what comes next. When asked if she wanted to continue to fight, she answered simply: “Yes. What will be will be.”