CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Catherine Ann Majdiak died at home on October 2, 2024, at age 91. She was born in Alexandria, Louisiana in 1932 and graduated from high school in Brecksville, Ohio in 1950. She attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating with a double major French and English. Her love of all things French deepened thereafter and she traveled to France and earned a certificate of French Civilization at the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1957 she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Drama, also from Western Reserve. She met her husband that year and Catherine and Dan were married in 1958. Catherine taught high school English and Drama in Ohio and French at Ohio State Extension. The family moved to Urbana, Illinois in 1965 with their two young daughters where Dan took a teaching job at the U of I English Department and Catherine entered a PHD program in French. After earning a master’s degree in French, Catherine began her long career as a French teacher at Central High School in Champaign, Illinois, where she taught for over 25 years.
Throughout her career, Catherine cultivated her love of France, taking many trips there with her husband and family. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for teaching abroad. She led many high school student trips to France, instilling a love of travel in many students, with whom she remained in touch. Catherine had a great passion for tennis and played well in to her 80’s. She participated in local theatre and wrote poetry.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, daughters Lisa Horowitz and Sarah, sisters Frances McConnell (Don) and Ricky Orchin Brady, grandchildren Kate and Jack, nieces and nephews and extended family.
Catherine was loved and respected for humor, wit, warmth and intelligence. She will be greatly missed by all in her life.
Condolences may be offered at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory.