Catherine Joy Lynch, nee Bear, was born on Long Island NY in Baldwin on August 1, 1944.

One of two children born to Franklin and Joy Bear, her father was from Illinois and her mother

was born in China to Baptist missionaries. Her father was a photographer and filmmaker often

employed by the Catholic church, and her mother was employed as a commercial artist by the

Parks and Recreation Department of Nassau County, NY. Catherine’s sister, Jane Ann Bear,

was two years older and died in 2022.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Gerontology from Millikin University in Decatur Illinois and a

masters degree in social work from Molloy University in Rockville Center, New York. She gave

birth to her only child, David Hoffman, with her first husband and raised him while pursuing her

master’s degrees and working as a restaurant server at night.

After earning her professional credentials, Catherine worked as a social worker and later head

of the social work department at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Center. She was employed at

Mercy for over 20 years, She often recounted the joy it gave her to discharge her patients with

a better life than before their treatment.

Catherine’s son David died at age 27 of a cardiac arrhythmia after completing his military

service and starting work in civilian life in the moving business. His death cast a long shadow

over her life for decades to come.

Cathetine loved to travel during her work life and in retirement. She visited China, Japan,

Australia, South Africa, Peru, Canada, and many European destinations.

In 2006, Catherine retired and moved to Hendersonville (recommended by a work friend), at

least in part, to put distance around unhappy memories of her son's death and to escape the

congestion of New York. She and Bill Elder met while living in the same Hendersonville

neighborhood and fell in love. They married in April of 2011. Thus began their many travels

together, as Bill had retired and sold his business in 2012.

Not having the grandchildren that she had hoped for, Catherine was delighted to get to know

and enjoy Bill’s great nephews, James and Jackson.

She lived life with joy and optimism while continuing her volunteer work with the Interfaith

Assistance Ministry. She also worked at the Elizabeth House as a part-time hospice social

worker for six years.

Catherine loved her church friends and her social circle. After meeting Bill, she began to feel a

strong bond with Bill’s dogs, culminating in her love affair with Ivy Pearl, their Standard Poodle.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Bill Elder. There will be a memorial service honoring her

life on Saturday, November 21 at 2:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of

Hendersonville. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Four Seasons Hospice or

Interfaith Assistance Ministry.

Catherine’s family appreciates the care she was given by the staff at Lake Pointe Landing in

Hendersonville as her health declined due to dementia. She was deeply loved and will be

missed