Catherine Marie Edman of Wheaton, Illinois, passed away on Aug. 29, 2023. She was born on Sept. 11, 1964, in Evanston and grew up in Skokie.

She was 59 and is survived by her adored and adoring mother, Ann Edman.

It is strangely fitting she left us right before the super blue moon, which is bigger and brighter than most moons and appears only once in a great while.

Cathi had the biggest heart. She lit up every room she was in. And she was the kind of caring soul and good friend that only graces our presence once in a blue moon.

A graduate of Southern Illinois University, she pursued a career as a journalist, landing at the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago in 1990. She made her mark there covering the police beat, local government and the schools.  She was a dogged journalist and initiated a project that took local school districts to task for using a loophole to take more money from taxpayers than was allowed. Her work helped changed the law. She saved taxpayers millions of dollars and held local officials accountable.

She won awards for that – and for other stories she wrote. But Cathi wasn't driven by the accolades. Cathi was driven by a desire to help, to make a difference in people's lives and to tell their stories.

One of her biggest projects at the paper had nothing to do with journalism. She spearheaded the Giving Garden, which encouraged suburban gardeners to donate surplus produce to local food pantries. The program continued for years, delivering thousands of pounds of fresh food to people who needed it most.

Again, she won awards. Again, that wasn't important to her.

Eventually, she switched careers and landed in the Daily Herald's advertising department. A strange fit? Not really. Cathi dove in with her typical zeal, curiosity and passion. She loved the paper and wanted to help it succeed and thrive. She took her reporter's skills and her creativity and used them in a new way.  She loved her clients – and they loved her, too.

Despite all her good work and many passions, nothing was closer to her heart than protecting and caring for animals. Over the years, she raised, trained and showed Old English Sheepdogs, including Bentley, Chelsea, Dempsey and Aid-Ann. She rescued Tria, a three-legged pooch with assorted medical needs, and Zipper, whom she saved from an abusive home.

Then there was Cash, the big, goofy love of her life. He's a palomino quarter horse, whom she loved ferociously and spoiled relentlessly. Cathi was a horsewoman through and through, developing friendships throughout this community. Recently, she was named president of Trail Riders of DuPage (TROD), a non-profit that promotes the preservation of trails for horseback riding.

And let's not forget about the chickens. She started raising them recently because of the high price of eggs. She built an elaborate coop and cooked special meals for them. Ultimately, she refused to eat the eggs of her pets. That was so Cathi.

There's so much more to tell. She loved – really loved! -- the Cubs, garage sales, flea markets and a good bargain.  She was an avid gardener, an antiques collector and a voracious reader. She was happily clumsy and told the best stories.  She was a patient teacher to all who wanted to learn from her. She was the friend who was always there. Everyone who ever met her left with a smile, a chuckle and a Cathi story. She was – to use one of her favorite words – hilarious.

Cathi is survived by her mother, Ann, and, of course, Cash. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Edman.

In her honor, look for opportunities to show love and take good care – whether it's for people, animals or even plants. Taking the time to care for others was her true legacy.

A celebration of life is being planned for Oct. 8 at St. James Farm in Warrenville. Check the Facebook page for Trail Riders of DuPage for information.

Donations in Cathi's name can be made to the Trio Animal Foundation, 516 N. Ogden Ave., Suite 199, Chicago, IL  60642. The website is trioanimalfoundation.org. You can also find them on Facebook.