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Catherine Browning
Catherine A. Browning, 53, passed away peacefully on Dec. 7, 2011, in Mountain Home. A celebration of Cathyıs life will be held at 3 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Parma Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Cathy was born in Beckley, W. Va., on March 2, 1958, the second of four daughters born to Jim and Jean (Douglas) Burdiss. Cathy, Sue, Jenny and Dottie grew up in West Virginia and Ohio before the family moved to Parma, Idaho.
In 1976 Cathy graduated from Gem State Academy in Caldwell. She graduated from Southwestern Adventist College/Keene, Texas, in 1979 with a nursing degree.
Cathy married James Browning, M.D., on Nov. 18, 1990, (which just happens to also be our mother's birthday). So, Mom got a new son-in-law for her birthday.
Cathy first learned she had brain cancer on April 1, 2007. Given seven months to live, she underwent surgery and made a remarkable recovery. Although her left leg never regained full mobility, she returned to work right away. Without delay she began working fulltime and finding time to do special things for her co-workers. She remained cancer free for three years, until Cathy learned the cancer had returned two years ago.
Again, Cathy underwent surgery to have the cancer removed. Although the surgery went well, unfortunately they were not able to get all the cancer. Cathy then learned she would need another surgery almost immediately. "From day one I put it all in God's hands," said Cathy. "I went into the surgery knowing God would handle everything." Throughout the entire process Cathy never gave up, and she kept a positive outlook on life.
Cathy is no stranger to caring for others. In fact, she worked as a nurse for 30 years. Over the last few years, Cathy's life shifted. She was now on the other end of the bed; instead of caring for patients, Cathy was now being cared for.
During an interview with Huguley Memorial Medical Center, Cathy shared the following: "Throughout this entire process, I have learned to be a better nurse. I truly understand the meaning of empathy. Thank you again, your kind prayers and words of encouragement got me through five years of treatment. I have the best friends and family who continuously stood by my side and I am forever grateful."
Cathy is survived by her husband, Dr. James Browning, her sisters, Jennifer (John) Sowers, of Mountain Home, Dottie Blackwell of Nampa, Sue Hill of Emmett, and her mother, Jean Douglas, of Boise.
She was preceded in death by her father.