On Tuesday, November 28, 2023 the angels began to sing as our almighty God gently took Cathy's hand and lead her into eternal rest after a valiant battle with cancer. She was seventy years old. Cathy Marie Clay was born in Akron, Ohio on October 14, 1953 to Flora Bell Clay and Howard John Washington Sr. She was educated through the Akron Public School System and graduated from North High School in 1973. At a young age, Cathy dedicated her life to God. She was steadfast in her Christian walk and her faith was incontestable to everyone who truly knew her. She had a very genuine heart and always treated people with respect and compassion. On June 21, 1971, she was united in holy matrimony to Terrence Edward Bowen, and to their union, two handsome sons were born. She devoted her entire life to the well-being and upbringing of her children. She taught them morals, values, and how to be independent enough to stand on their own two feet. She and Terrence's union dissolved in 1979.

Cathy loved to inform, inspire, and guide any young person whose path she ran across. Whether it be family members, or others, she loved to offer and listening ear and give a loving word of advice and encouragement. So much so, she found employment as a correctional officer at Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility in Massillon, Ohio. She later settled in Loudonville, Ohio where she worked at Ohio Mohican Juvenile Correctional Facility. Cathy also acted as a substitute teacher for years. Cathy was always on the move and never let any grass grow under her feet. Adventurous and unafraid, she was never hesitant to try new things or travel various places. She resided in Columbus, Ohio, Conyers, Georgia and officially made Glendale, Arizona her home in April 2011. There she met Foster Johnson, and the two married in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 23, 2017.

Although she's lived across the country, she always considered Akron, "home". She was planning on relocating back home until her health began to decline. Every place she lived, she made lifelong friends. She possessed a very doting disposition which lead her to any difficulty to create, maintain, or resurrect relationships. But she left no room for a wrong conclusion—she was a no nonsense woman! Priding herself on "keeping it real", she was never one to mince words and was very outspoken. She enjoyed quality time with her family during events and gatherings, as she loved to sing and dance and was truly the life of the party.

Cathy had a deep passion for cooking. She studied Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Bleu College in Scottsdale, AZ. She relished in exhibiting her creative side with her dishes she made. She was always enthusiastically ready to share recipes and showcase her work. With a staunch and determined mindset, at almost 60 she decided to go back to college as well and received her ____ degree from the University of Phoenix and graduated in 2010. Her utmost importance in life was being a mother and grandmother. She had a special and  unique relationship with each of her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with her grandkids, taking them on trips, picking them up from school, and several other activities. She was an extraordinary woman who effortlessly excelled in every role that life has bestowed upon her. She will be dearly missed.

Cathy is preceded in death by her parents, sister Tanita Higgins, and a brother Milton James. She leaves to cherish her loving memory to her loving sons Demond (Sarah) Bowen of Columbus, OH; grandchildren Christiana A. (Martin) Osorio, Noelani I. Yarn, and Loren A. Bowen II.; sisters Charlene Clay, Teresa (Mac) Morgan, Shinita Gibson, and Shonna (Royce) Smith; brother Howard (Janet) Washington Jr.; aunt Marjorie Rooks, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.