Cathy Sue Cornell DesRochers

A 1972 graduate of Cassadaga Valley Central School, Cathy later earned her Registered Nurse degree from Jamestown Community College in 1980. Soon after, she relocated to St. Petersburg, where she began her nursing career at the VA Hospital. Cathy ultimately found her calling in elder care, serving as Director of Nursing at several local nursing homes until her retirement in June 2022.

Known for her deep compassion, she was a trusted caregiver, mentor, and friend to many throughout her career.

Cathy loved spending time with her family-camp- ing, playing cards, visiting casinos, and cooking everyone’s favorite comfort foods, especially seafood boils, sausage gravy and biscuits, and her famous dirty rice. She also found great joy in gardening, nurturing both plants and people with her steady hands and open heart. Cathy’s porch became a sacred space for late-night talks, where comfort and connection were always found.

She is survived by her mother, Arletta Cornell; her children, Cameron (Jennifer) Bernard and

Stephanie (Andrew) DesRochers; stepdaughter, Missy (Todd) Liberty; grandchildren Devin, Jason, James, Yzzy, Jennifer (Sarah), Christian, Arianna (Nathan), and Ethan; two great-grandchildren; and siblings: Donald (Dianne) Cornell, Brenda (Sam) Knight, Andrea Cornell, and Guy (Jody)

Cornell. She was preceded in death by her father, Gordon Cornell; her husband, Henry “Hank” DesRochers; and her son, Jeffery Bernard.

A celebration of Cathy’s life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Stockton Firehall 28 a.m.

Route 380, Stockton NY 14784. Visitation begins at 10:30 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:30. Lunch and fellowship will follow the service. All who knew her -family, friends, classmates, and anyone touched by her are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to Orphan Angels Cat Sanctuary and Adoption Center @ orphanangels.org.