Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Catherine Anne Hagemeier, age 60

Catherine Anne Hagemeier, 60, died peacefully at her home in Little Rock on December 12,2020 surrounded by her husband, Mark, and two daughters, Katie and Annie.  Cathy was diagnosed with leptomeningeal cancer on February 13, 2020 at UAMS, and she lived fully and well both before and after her diagnosis.

Cathy lived a relationship-filled life.  She was a loving and kind wife, mother, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, co-worker, neighbor, mentor, teacher, and friend.

Cathy was born and reared in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1978, Cathy attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on a tennis scholarship.  She graduated in 1982 with a degree in biology, and she returned to teach high school in Council Bluffs for the next four years.  A serendipitous reduction in force at the local schools propelled Cathy into a life of adventure away from Iowa.  In the fall of 1986, she took a semester-long Outward Bound course, and the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School subsequently hired her as an instructor.  Cathy spent the next four years paddling rivers and hiking in the woods of Florida, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine with youth and adults.  In the fall of 1988, Cathy met Mark, another Outward Bound instructor (and Arkansan), in Scottsmoor, Florida, and her chances of a return to Iowa diminished greatly.

After a frigid winter in New Hampshire in 1990-91, Cathy and Mark moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas.  Cathy worked as a child welfare worker at DHS and completed a Master’s Degree in Secondary Educational Administration while Mark completed a law degree.  Cathy always fondly remembered the three years she spent at the University of Arkansas and her transformation from a Hawkeye to a Razorback.  In 1994, Cathy and Mark moved to Little Rock, and she began working for what is now UALR’s MidSouth Training Academy as a trainer of the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ social workers, managers, and foster parents.  But for a brief hiatus for rearing her daughters, Cathy worked at MidSouth from 1994 until early 2020.  Cathy loved her job at MidSouth, and she touched the lives of so many people while working there.

Cathy was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.  Over the past 22 years, Cathy served as a Sunday school teacher, confirmation mentor, Deacon, and Elder.  Cathy was also an active sister in PEO Chapter BV of Little Rock.  Although Cathy served as the chapter’s president, she was best known for her yearly margarita party held each Cinco de Mayo.  Cathy was a truly sweet and gentle soul, and she enjoyed hiking, reading, gardening, playing pitch, and laughing with friends.

Cathy is survived by her husband of nearly 31 years, Mark, and their two daughters, Katie and Annie, the greatest joys of her life.  Cathy is also survived by her parents, Bud and Anne Crowl; her brother, Matthew Crowl (Holly); and her sister, Amy Crowl-Kinney (Kurt).  Numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends also survive her.

Mark, Katie, and Annie would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at UAMS for the initial care they rendered to Cathy both before and after her diagnosis.  They would also like to thank the nurses, social workers, and staff of Arkansas Hospice for the unbelievable support they extended to Cathy since March.  Additionally, they would like to thank family and friends everywhere who have supported them through this phase of Cathy’s and their lives.  Your love and presence have literally been a life sustaining force these past ten months.   A special thank you to Barbara Faulkner who has cared for Cathy at home since August.  And finally, Mark would like to thank his phenomenal colleagues at UAMS and the University of Arkansas System for their care and concern this past year.

Funeral services will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.  Due to Covid restrictions, services at this time will be for immediate family members only.  A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church at a future point in time when Covid restrictions are lifted.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR 72227; Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, 1720 Ferncliff Road, Little Rock, AR 72223; Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116, or the Central Arkansas Library System Foundation, 100 Rock Street, Little Rock, AR  72201.

Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas.

14 Comments

  • Cassie Watkins Posted December 15, 2020 8:31 PM

    I worked for DCFS for 10 years and loved seeing her everything I was in Little Rock or she came to Fayetteville she was a wonderful teacher and mentor and always had a beautiful smile on her face. My thoughts and prayers are with you

  • Shelly Crabill Posted December 15, 2020 8:38 PM

    You my precious friend were a beautiful light in the world of social work . Healing one tiny heart at a time by leading us . You will be missed. Fly high and rest in Gods loving arms . Prayers and love for your precious family and friends

  • Jessica Boverhof Posted December 15, 2020 8:50 PM

    Cathy was a true joy. She had a love for work but she was so much more to all of those that were blessed to be trained by Cathy at mid south. She often told stories of her family and shared her happiness of being a wife and mother. The world is at a great loss. An amazing loved woman rest easy my friend. Prayers to all the loved ones and friends.

  • Amanda Hogan Posted December 15, 2020 9:32 PM

    Cathy was an amazing teacher and mentor. She always kept us in good spirits, even when the tasks of social work could get us down. She was ALWAYS smiling and that was infectious. Mark, Katie and Annie— It’s been over 15 years since I first met Cathy and it was like we were watching you girls grow up. She was so proud of you all. We’re sending you all love, light, vibes and prayers.

  • Kim Sowell Posted December 15, 2020 11:19 PM

    I am so saddened by this news. Carhy was truly one of a kind and an instant friend is an understatement! She truly loved with all her heart and although she loved her job nothing came before her family. Annie, Katie & Mark- she loved each of you to the utmost corners of this earth and the stories she shared about all of you made us feel as though we knew all of you personally. Yes, there were funny stories and stories of how she tested these theories of what she was teaching us on her own home and all of you! My prayer is that God will hold you all a little closer, that you hold each other a little tighter and that God my bestow on you the peace and comfort that surpasses all understanding!

  • Patricia Edstrom Posted December 16, 2020 10:47 AM

    Dear Mark and Family – I am heart-broken to hear about Cathy. Such a lovely person. May your love for her and all your wonderful memories strengthen you through the difficult days. Prayers to you all.

  • Denia Angevine Carter Posted December 16, 2020 1:22 PM

    What a tragic loss. I always loved interacting with her while I was teaching at Lisa Academy

  • Lori Llewellyn Posted December 16, 2020 1:46 PM

    I am so very sorry for your loss. I fondly remember Cathy and the family from the Westside YMCA. She hardly missed a day, even when she had her daughters! She was such a lovely person.

  • Toni Middleton Posted December 16, 2020 3:58 PM

    Mark, I am sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.

  • Laura and Timothy Daven Posted December 17, 2020 10:38 AM

    Mark, Katie and Annie,
    You are in our thoughts and prayers. The Lord has taken home a wonderful new Angel. Mark and Cathy have been a wonderful inspiration to our family over the years. God Bless.

  • Danny and Sue Ellen Wilkerson Posted December 19, 2020 9:26 AM

    Sending our deepest condolences for your loss.

  • Sheryl Troutman Posted December 20, 2020 10:34 AM

    Heaven look out because this beautiful angel has gained her wings! My sincere condolences to Mark. Annie and Kate. Cathy was such an inspiration and always full of life! She will be definitely missed.

  • Peters Family – Russellville Posted December 28, 2020 8:54 AM

    We are so sorry for you loss. We are praying for your healing and comfort during this difficult time.
    Flave, Ella, Ormond and Patricia Peters

  • Susan Day Posted December 29, 2020 8:16 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss. Cathy was an amazing, interesting, and generous woman. I enjoyed visiting with her at LRRC. I just learned of your families loss. I know you are all heartbroken.

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