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CATHERINE B. JORDAN THOMAS was born on April 25, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life on Friday, June 18th, 2021. The youngest of 8, Catherine was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System. She attended school #112 for elementary school, Garrison Middle School, and Forest Park Senior High School. She graduated Phi Delta Kappa from Morgan State College (University) with a degree in Education. Catherine also obtained a Masters Equivalent from Coppin State College (University). Catherine taught in the Baltimore City Public Schools for over 30 years. She retired as principal of Johnston Square Elementary School. She was passionate about education and truly believed she could change lives through ensuring her students received a proper and compassionate education. This passion even bled into her personal life, as she worked tirelessly to provide the most outstanding education she could for her daughters and her grandchildren. Catherine was a true renaissance woman: she enjoyed reading books on a range of topics, dressing in the latest fashion trends, staying abreast of local politics through her daily newspaper (and a little gossip), and even maintained an immaculate lawn and garden. Her commitment to Baltimore never faded, even in her retirement from BCPS; she served loyally on the Howard Park Community Association for years, eventually serving as President for one term. Even when life was harsh towards Cat, she showed resilience and love. She was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2006 and fought tremendously through chemotherapy and radiation. Catherine was 15 years into remission at the time of her death. Following her recovery, Catherine continued to live life fully – she loved traveling to New York City to attend Broadway musicals and go shopping, and especially journeying to the beaches of South Carolina with her family. She was a frequent visitor to the St. Paul’s Schools, where all four of her grandchildren have attended, and could always be found at the salon or the shopping centers. Catherine is preceded in death by her seven siblings: Lorraine, Randolph (Bubby), Alice, Gene, Mildred, Robert, and Gilbert. Catherine leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Dr. Gayle Jordan-Randolph (Junius) and Karen Thomas Ginyard (Robert); four grandchildren: Junius Randolph, Jillian Randolph, Kennedy Ginyard and Lauren Ginyard; several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Catherine Jordan Thomas

April 25, 1943 - June 18, 2021