Cathy passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Cathy was born on April 20, 1947, to Ramona (Henderson) and Samuel A. Gabriele. She is a graduate of Bishop Cunningham Catholic High School in Oswego (’64). She graduated from SUNY Canton with a concentration in dietary/food service (’68).
After graduation she worked at Sky Chef’s/American Airlines where she met her life partner Richard “Dick” Lee in 1971. They married on June 29,1974 and created a home together in Pennellville. Cathy then worked as a site director at the Phoenix Area nutrition site.
Cathy was a parishioner of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Phoenix, NY and was also very involved in many of the village of Phoenix community affairs. She was the founder of The Bridge House Brats, that envisions a place where every child could find solace, support, and a sense of belonging. During her time at the Bridge House, she also created the annual Phoenix Fireworks event.
Her tireless efforts and boundless passion transformed her vision into a reality, providing a positive and rewarding learning experience for many children. Through her leadership, Bridge House Brats became more than just a place; it became a beacon of hope and opportunity, empowering youth to thrive and develop leadership skills.
Beyond her remarkable contributions to Bridge House Brats, Cathy’s legacy of service extended far and wide. Her selflessness knew no bounds, as she volunteered daily at Phoenix H.S., lending a helping hand wherever it was needed. Her room, known as “Orange and Black Shack” was a place where students could go and always feel safe and wanted.
Her kindness, generosity, and genuine concern for others touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Cathy received many awards throughout her years. Some of the awards include:
- The Woman of the Year awarded in 1991 from the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce 2001
- Unsung Hero Award from Children’s Board of Oswego 2006
- Volunteerism award from Central New York Recreation and Park Society 2007
- Volunteerism award from Lysander Parks and Recreation 2016
- Lifetime achievement award from the village of Phoenix Community 2016
- The Presidents Lifetime achievement award from President Barak Obama 2019
- Making a difference award from Phoenix Central School District 2023
- Proclamation of Cathy Lee Day on April 20th from The Village of Phoenix
